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From The Desk of John T. Weldon, MSW, LICSW
Executive Director
May 2008
 I’m
pleased to share with you this Spring Edition of “From the Desk”
complete with updates of our successful Program Review by the Department
of Education (DOE), Kaleidoscope Award recipients, and Summer Program
plans.
As the school year winds down, some children have flexed their muscles
and competed in the 6th Annual New England Youth Whaleboat Challenge at
Pope’s Island Marina in New Bedford. Others have enjoyed an “All-American”
outing complete with Pawtucket Red Sox baseball, hotdogs, and “apple
pie” - compliments of Fernando Garcia of Fall River Ford.
The following is just a glimpse of what the past few months have been
like here at Saint Vincent’s:
- Early April brought two reviewers from the DOE Program Quality Assurance
Department, evaluating our compliance with over eighty (80) regulatory
standards as a special education school. Given the complexity of our
residential/educational and day school programs as well as the numbers
of changes we have implemented since the last DOE Program Review six
years ago, the results were outstanding. The quality of our programming
and staff commitment to meeting our Mission was reflected in every aspect
of the review process as well as the comments made by the reviewers,
and we once again attained Full Approval status
as a result of our compliance with the standards and the quality of
our programming.
- The 5th Annual Kaleidoscope Awards Ceremony was held on the last day
of April, honoring community supporters and partners for their dedication
to children and youth. Shirley Almeida of Prima Care, Gloria
Cabral of Bristol Community College, Fall River Rotary Club, The Harrold
Family, and Stanley Street Treatment and Resources
Team were recognized for extending themselves in very special
ways in their efforts to support us in achieving our Mission.
- The design of the Summer School Program is well underway with plans
for the children to row whaleboats, sail, learn the discipline of Karate,
enjoy therapeutic yoga, experience overnight camping, and participate
in curriculum-related field trips to local museums, as well as fun trips
to zoos and ball games – all the while helping them to build healthy
relationships, learn new ways of physical and creative expression, and
develop positive social skills.
I have only scratched the surface of what goes on here – 24/7.
I invite you to visit us and see for yourself, first-hand, how we are
truly Giving Children and Families in
Need What They Need Most.
Thank you and have a wonderful summer. ~ Jack Weldon
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