Building for Now and for Future Generations
RIVERBEND LAUNCHES $12.5 MILLION EXPANSION AND RELOCATION CAMPAIGN: BUILDING FOR NOW AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
SOUTH NATICK, MA –The Board of Trustees of the Riverbend School (RVBS) has launched a major expansion and relocation campaign that seeks to raise $12.5 million over the next three to five years. “We are embarking on this campaign to provide the best possible education for all our students from toddlers through 8th graders, and to continue to operate as a vital, contributing presence in the South Natick community,” said Board Chairperson Julie A. Baker, Esq.
The Riverbend School is located along the Charles River in historic South Natick. Students from toddler through 8th grade attend the non-profit educational institution, which provides students with a comprehensive education founded in the best aspects of the Montessori method: encouraging independence and critical thinking in a community founded on respect for self, others, and the world around us. Riverbend students come from Ashland, Dover, Holliston, Natick, Needham, Newton, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston and other surrounding towns. In addition to the core curriculum, RVBS students study Spanish, music, art, physical education, and computers; and the Middle School students participate in the Model U.N. Program.
“For many years, we have addressed our immediate needs for capital improvements from current operating funds or from long-term loans,” said Ms. Baker. “After careful consideration, the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and strategic planning committee have decided that now is the time to build our vision.” As part of the expansion project, RVBS purchased a five-acre parcel across from its East campus on Route 16, at 33-35 Eliot Street. Over the past two years, RVBS has been working cooperatively with the Town and the community to prepare, plan, and permit the Site. This is the largest project that the Board and the School have undertaken in the 40 year history of RVBS, and as Ms. Baker recently told families at a “State of the School” meeting, “We need everyone participate in this effort to ensure our success.”
“Among the capital needs to be addressed will be state-of-the-art classroom facilities, updated technology, a full-size gymnasium, and outdoor fields and playgrounds,” explained Karen Riccardi, RVBS Head of School. “A new auditorium/theatre for plays and other school events will be provided. In the Program area, the new facilities and technology-rich campus will increase placement opportunities for graduates and enhance academic rankings. In addition, a larger Endowment will enable our school to maintain its tradition of providing high quality but affordable education. It will enable us to provide resources for academically excellent programs; retain and attract exceptional and diverse faculty; and increase our diverse student population.” In addition, in keeping with the school’s philosophy, “green” initiatives such as a rooftop garden, outdoor classrooms, and the use of photovoltaic panels and porous pavement will respect and preserve the environment while providing additional educational opportunities for the children.
“Faced with these ambitious goals, the Board of Trustees decided to launch a multi-million dollar development fund campaign over a three-to-five year pledge period to assist in the short-term and long-term financing of this total project,” said Ms. Riccardi. “The gifts that all of us make to this project will serve as a down payment on the cost of our new home, expanding and improving our programs as we celebrate 40 years of serving the greater Metro West area.”
Paul Oricchio, Director of Development, explained that the school will undertake an intensive public awareness program to educate the larger community about RVBS’s needs. “This effort will include both in-house and external campaign publicity and solicitation,” Mr. Oricchio said. “The Board of Trustees, students’ parents and grandparents, alumni, alumni parents and grandparents, and friends constitute our in-house family and will be at the core of this effort. Special individual, corporate, foundation and service area gifts will be encouraged as well.”
Over the past six months, Mr. Oricchio has conducted a pre-campaign analysis consisting of 40 interviews inside and outside the RVBS community, to determine the potential for a major-gift fundraising effort. Responses indicated that strong support can be expected from our internal population, as well as from corporate, individual and foundation sectors both locally and regionally.
Ms. Riccardi and the Board of Trustees have assembled a Steering Committee to lead the campaign, consisting of: Kirk Davis, President, Gatehouse Media, current parent; Artemis A.W. Joukowsky, III, venture capitalist, past parent; Laurel Lyle, ex officio, past president, RVBS Board of Trustees; Mindy and Jay Pasco-Anderson, entrepreneurs, past parents; Tony Proctor, Treasurer, RVBS Board of Trustees, CEO, Proctor Financial of Wellesley, current parent; Karen Riccardi, RVBS Head of School; James R. Salzano, CEO, Clarks North America, current parent; and Kevin Wood of Wellesley, entrepreneur, current parent.
Like many great undertakings, however, the work begins at the source. “We will need the support of our in-house families to start,” said Ms. Baker. “The stronger the support we receive from our family members, the greater the response we can expect to receive from the community-at-large.”