Henry Viscardi School

HVS IS AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES WHO OFTEN REQUIRE LIFE-SUSTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THAT ALSO PROVIDES RIGOROUS ACADEMICS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP. ITS SPECIALIZED, ACCESSIBLE SETTING PROVIDES A FULLY-ENRICHED ACADEMIC PROGRAM, THERAPIES, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL SUPPORTS TO STUDENTS WHO MAY OTHERWISE NEED TO RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN THEIR HOMES OR A HOSPITAL. MOST STUDENTS AT HVS USE POWER WHEELCHAIRS AND AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, AND REQUIRE CONSTANT MEDICAL SUPERVISION. STUDENTS HAVE A VARIETY OF DISABILITIES INCLUDING CEREBRAL PALSY, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, SPINA BIFIDA, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA AND SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY. THE PRE-K THROUGH AGE 21 PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES, MEETS THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FAMILIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF IEP'S.

DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES: THE HENRY VISCARDI SCHOOL IS CHARTERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND OFFERS CHILDREN WITH SEVERE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, WHO OFTEN REQUIRE LIFE SUSTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY A TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL SETTING THAT INCLUDES RIGOROUS ACADEMICS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. ITS SPECIALIZED, ACCESSIBLE EDUCATIONAL SETTING PROVIDES A FULLY ENRICHED ACADEMIC PROGRAM, A VARIETY OF THERAPISTS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL SUPPORT.

INCLUDES ALL PROGRAMS FUNDED BY RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED DONATIONS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE A SENIOR CLASS TRIP, CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS, TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES AND UPGRADES, AND PURCHASING ADDITIONAL STUDENT SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT FUNDED BY STATE OR FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS- PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC AND LIFE SKILLS THROUGH EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS. THE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS INCLUDE CUBBIES/COUGARS BASKETBALL, INDEPENDENT LIVING OVERNIGHTS, FRIDAY NIGHT RECREATION AND ACADEMIC INTERVENTION SERVICES (AIS). THESE PROGRAMS ENABLE OUR STUDENTS TO BE PROVIDED WITH ACADEMIC SUPPORT AS WELL AS A PLACE TO UTILIZE ATHLETIC AND FUNCTIONAL SKILLS CRITICAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE "WHOLE CHILD" AT THE HENRY VISCARDI SCHOOL. IN ADDITION, RAMP (REACHING ALL MY POTENTIAL) STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AN EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM, APPROXIMATELY ONCE PER MONTH. THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED 12 YEARS OF SCHOOL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS THEIR DIPLOMA GOALS, PREPARE MEALS, PARTICIPATE IN SELECTED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND PRACTICED SOCIAL SKILLS SUPPORTING THEIR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO POST SECONDARY LIFE.

SCHOOL-BASED DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPY: THE SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM USES MOVEMENT TO HELP HENRY VISCARDI STUDENTS ACHIEVE COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION. BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH PHYSICAL HEALTH AND MOBILITY FOR STUDENTS WITH SEVERE MEDICALLY FRAGILE CONDITIONS AND LOW-INCIDENCE ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENTS. THE DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY PROGRAM PROMOTES INCREASED MUSCULAR STRENGTH COORDINATION, MOBILITY, AND DECREASED MUSCULAR TENSION WHICH FACILITATES A MORE EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC/LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.