Welcome to REACH Academy

Featured REACH Photo
"Apple Picking "

December 7, 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians/Care Providers:

As the holidays approach I am thrilled to report that progress at the Reach Academy is advancing as expected. Our school culture is imbedded with a spirit that is quite remarkable. Staff and students alike continue to maintain very strong relationships and remain supportive of each other. A few students have just enrolled and are beginning with us this month. I am very confident that they will be excellent additions to our student body. Enrollment is at an all-time high and I anticipate that in the near future admission will become quite competitive. We have recently mailed 1st quarter report cards and progress notes. Overall, student performance has been very good especially when taking into account the challenges presented by our relocation to a new school building.

Our Transition Planning and Vocational Training programs are really taking shape. We have a wide variety of options developing. Our new Guidance Counselor/Transition Specialist has divided our upper classmen into Transition Teams and has coordinated several meaningful vocational based field trips. Additionally, the teams are meeting regularly to further plan and prepare for their futures. Several of our Project Search Seniors are settling in to their first of three full-time internships at the Westchester Medical Center. They are learning a great deal and in some cases have already found viable employment opportunities to follow graduation. We have implemented a pilot “Entrepreneurial” Vocational Program for one of our students. He is spending his afternoons developing garden-based businesses at the Jennie Clarkson Campus Garden. Additionally, our Customer Service classes are developing several projects designed to build pre-vocational and vocational skills. Over time, the Reach Academy program will provide a continuum of transition and vocational experiences tailored to prepare individual students for productive adult lives.

Additionally, the Reach Program is holding our next family dinner on Tuesday December 20, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. The dinner will be held on the St. Christopher’s Jennie Clarkson campus in our old school building. The families of all students are welcome to attend. These evenings are nice opportunities to join as a larger community. Please contact us at 914-686-8159 ext. 1001 by December 16th, 2011 if you plan on attending. Should you require additional assistance, we can provide transportation to the campus from local Westchester train stations. Regardless of your attendance please accept our wish of a peaceful and happy holiday season. Also know that we remain committed to ensuring that all of our students achieve their maximum growth potential and are properly prepared for adulthood. As always, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please contact me at 914-686-8159 ext. 1002 or at ppizzutello@sc1881.org. Together we will continue to ensure that all of our students have bright futures.

Sincerely,
Paul M. Pizzutello Principal,
Reach Academy

Dear Parents/Guardians/Care Providers:

As the holidays approach I am thrilled to report that progress at the Reach Academy is advancing as expected. Our school culture is imbedded with a spirit that is quite remarkable. Staff and students alike continue to maintain very strong relationships and remain supportive of each other. A few students have just enrolled and are beginning with us this month. I am very confident that they will be excellent additions to our student body. Enrollment is at an all-time high and I anticipate that in the near future admission will become quite competitive. We have recently mailed 1st quarter report cards and progress notes. Overall, student performance has been very good especially when taking into account the challenges presented by our relocation to a new school building.

Our Transition Planning and Vocational Training programs are really taking shape. We have a wide variety of options developing. Our new Guidance Counselor/Transition Specialist has divided our upper classmen into Transition Teams and has coordinated several meaningful vocational based field trips. Additionally, the teams are meeting regularly to further plan and prepare for their futures. Several of our Project Search Seniors are settling in to their first of three full-time internships at the Westchester Medical Center. They are learning a great deal and in some cases have already found viable employment opportunities to follow graduation. We have implemented a pilot “Entrepreneurial” Vocational Program for one of our students. He is spending his afternoons developing garden-based businesses at the Jennie Clarkson Campus Garden. Additionally, our Customer Service classes are developing several projects designed to build pre-vocational and vocational skills. Over time, the Reach Academy program will provide a continuum of transition and vocational experiences tailored to prepare individual students for productive adult lives.

Additionally, the Reach Program is holding our next family dinner on Tuesday December 20, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. The dinner will be held on the St. Christopher’s Jennie Clarkson campus in our old school building. The families of all students are welcome to attend. These evenings are nice opportunities to join as a larger community. Please contact us at 914-686-8159 ext. 1001 by December 16th, 2011 if you plan on attending. Should you require additional assistance, we can provide transportation to the campus from local Westchester train stations. Regardless of your attendance please accept our wish of a peaceful and happy holiday season. Also know that we remain committed to ensuring that all of our students achieve their maximum growth potential and are properly prepared for adulthood. As always, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please contact me at 914-686-8159 ext. 1002 or at ppizzutello@sc1881.org. Together we will continue to ensure that all of our students have bright futures.

Sincerely,

Paul M. Pizzutello
Principal, Reach Academy

Featured News

Students from REACH Academy provide support to the Dobbs Ferry Senior Citizens Organization during their annual Halloween festivities. This activity is part of their vocational training and coordinated by Ms. Owens-Carter, Guidance Counselor.
Click here to view the photos!

“REACH Academy students tending the Organic Garden with Head Gardener Russ Greenleaf"

Mighty Milers

What started as an project in a health education class by teacher Milty Waltzer, developed into a school-wide initiative to walk hundreds of miles, burn thousands of calories, and grab the attention of the New York State Road Runners as well as the Mighty Milers.

Join St. Chris Inc. as we congratulate all the students of REACH Academy for their participation and wonderful progress as the new extension of Mighty "Milers"