FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com february 26, 2015 • kids & education • The Courier sun 35 ▶ kids & education Sponsored by There’s more in store for you when you have a 5Star Credit Card. Apply today online at mynycb.com or call us at 1-888-550-9888 Queens resident determined to attend college despite his physical disability and medical needs BY THE VIS CARDI CEN TER Rarely are children transported to school every day by ambulance, but for Chris Alvarez, a Queens resident and eleventh grader at Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center in Albertson, it’s just another school day. Chris’ physical disability and acute medical needs require a full-time nurse and life-sustaining medical support, but speak to him and you’ll learn that he’s like any other teenager. Chris thinks school is “awesome” and loves attending Henry Viscardi School because he, and approximately 165 other students with severe physical disabilities, have the opportunity to learn the same academics as kids without physical disabilities (something he wasn’t able to do at his two previous schools). Henry Viscardi School provides students, who may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital, a traditional educational setting with fully-enriched core academics, a variety of therapies, assistive technology and medical supports. Founded in 1962 by Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr., who himself wore prosthetic legs, and the first of its kind, the Henry Viscardi School was a place children with physical disabilities and rare illnesses could go to school, just like other children. Today, the Henry Viscardi School continues to be an alternative choice for parents and a resource to school districts that cannot accommodate the academic, health and assistive technology needs of children, pre-K through grade 12, with severe disabilities. Most of its students use power wheelchairs and augmentative communication technology. A bright and motivated student, Chris’ favorite subjects are science and math. He particularly enjoys units on environmental Smart Student BANKING1 > Absolutely Free Student Checking •No minimum balance •No per check fee •No monthly maintenance fee > Free unlimited ATM transactions at NYCB locations > Free VISA®CheckCard > Free Direct Deposit > Free On-line Banking with Free Bill Pay† > 24 Hour Bank by Phone > Convenience •Over 140 locations in NY and NJ •Extended branch banking hours •Supermarket banking •7 day-a-week banking at many locations > Pre-Paid Solutions •VISA® Gift Card •Pre-Paid Long Distance •Pre-Paid MasterCardTM •Pre-Paid Wireless Service •MetroCards Open your Student Checking2 Account today and enjoy: • NO MINIMUM BALANCE FEE • NO PER-CHECK FEE • NO MONTHLY SERVICE FEE Free ▪ Unlimited transactions at NYCB ATMs ▪ Visa® check card ▪ Direct Deposit Convenience ▪ Over 175 locations in NY and NJ ▪ Extended branch banking hours ▪ Online Banking with e-Statements For more information call 718-448-7272 or visit www.myNYCB.com Be sure to ask about our Student Statement Savings Account too! †For your online security, information will be verified by the Bank. Once the verification process is complete, your Free Online Banking & Free Bill Pay account will be activated and ready for you to use. No monthly services charges apply. A separate fee applies for optional services such as Money HQ. Please talk to a branch representative or ask for our fee schedule for more details. © New York Community Bank. Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender studies and “green” initiatives. Recently, his science class made reusable shopping bags from single-use plastic bags. They then took the opportunity to educate their peers and the Viscardi community by designing a bulletin board in the hallway outside the classroom and sharing a how-to video. Though academically focused, Chris also has a magnetic personality and a competitive side. A true fashionista, he’s one of the first to get involved in school activities. He’s donned a Captain America costume for the annual Halloween party, designed and worn apparel made from recycled trash for the Earth Day fashion show, and commentated a fast-paced wheelchair hockey game between the students and players from the New York Islanders. Outgoing and well spoken, Chris is also a peer counselor and understands the importance of self advocacy, having given a speech in Albany in an effort to maintain funding for the Henry Viscardi School. Like all kids, Chris enjoys spending time with his friends but it isn’t easy since many live far away from one another and need special transportation because of wheelchairs and medical needs. That’s why he looks forward to the after-school programs offered at the Henry Viscardi School, especially wheelchair basketball. He’s always quick to take the court in his powered wheelchair whenever the Cougars, Viscardi’s basketball team, play in tournaments and games against other schools for children with disabilities as well as teams fielded by local high schools, colleges and businesses. Friday Night Rec, where the students have a chance to play sports, cook, dance, do art projects, work on homework and most importantly hang out with their friends just like other kids, also top’s his list. “You can always tell when it’s a Friday Night Rec day by the smiles on everyone’s faces,” shares Chris. Upon his graduation from Viscardi, Chris plans to pursue a college degree in biology. A goal the Henry Viscardi School teaching community strongly encourages as it enables its students to be active, independent, self-sufficient participants in society. Learn more about the Henry Viscardi School at henryviscardischool.org. (877) 786-6560 • myNYCB.com 1Student Banking is available for personal accounts only and is free of maintenance and activity fees. 2Student Checking Accounts with a Visa® check card are automatically enrolled in the Even >more Rewards Program. For complete terms and conditions speak with a branch representative. Restrictions apply. Bank is not responsible for typographical errors. ©2015 New York Community Bank- Member FDIC Equal Opportunity Lender Chris Alvarez in lab class
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