Riverview students and staff say goodbye to community partners in Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH — As students and staff at Riverview Learning Center prepare to move to the new Osceola Elementary School campus next school year, they have said their final goodbyes to the Daytona community.

One of the center’s partners, Neighborhood Watch Seabreeze-University Group, has been part of this community and partner for over 20 years.

So on May 29, they gathered together one last time at the Riverview campus on Wild Olive Avenue to celebrate this partnership with a day of music, food, sports, games and more in an event called “We Care Celebration.”

Move to Ormond Beach:Volusia County Schools will move the Riverview Learning Center to the Osceola Elementary School campus

“This is just one last barbecue before we move in and say thank you,” said Riverview Principal Thomas Soli, who has served in the role since 2022.

The move to the Ormond Beach campus begins at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.

Over the years, the group’s neighborhood organization Seabreeze-University has helped keep the school grounds “safe and clean.”

“They help clean up the neighborhood, they get kids to volunteer and over the years they clean up exercise equipment, neighbors make bread and so on,” Soli said.

Riverview program gives children a ‘second chance’

According to its website, Riverview Learning Center is an alternative education program that aims to create a “highly restrictive school environment” in which students can improve their behavior and social skills while also receiving educational services.

Patty Corr, Volusia’s chief operating officer, says if a Volusia student violates the district’s code of conduct, that student’s infraction will be reviewed. It is a first-degree offense for students who are late or break school rules. Third-degree felonies that could get a student sent to Riverview could include fighting on school property, sharing malicious threats, posting inappropriate content on social media or vaping.

“Some of our students come to us because they have committed offenses that they should not have committed in a regular school,” Soli explained. “It’s almost like a second chance to get back on track. But we have students who are falling behind and they haven’t necessarily done anything wrong.”

Soli said strict rules like no phones during the school day and escorting students throughout campus contribute to the program’s success.

“Everyone makes a mistake from time to time,” he said, pointing to “inappropriate” use of social media, vaping and peer pressure to fight back as some common transgressions. “We just provide a positive environment that students want to come to.”

Bradford Gonzalez, a four-year Seabreeze neighborhood watch member and event organizer, said Riverview children have as many needs as the rest of the district’s students.

“Sometimes we forget that we are all children of God,” Gonzalez said. “We have to help each other. Each of us, in one way or another, has been given a second chance in life. So why not them? They are someone, they need guidance, they need help, but the best thing you can teach them is to help themselves. When they can do this, they can succeed. You just have to give them the tools to get there.”

Community weighs:Volusia County Schools is answering questions about an alternative school move to Osceola

Students: “They make you feel at home”

Staff took dozens of Riverview students to the school’s backyard, where they interviewed community leaders, posed for photos and ate lunch.

High school student Tanari Smith has attended Riverview since sixth grade.

“I think it’s a very good alternative learning school,” Smith said. “It really helps a lot of kids who need extra help.”

He said the high teacher-to-student ratio in the classroom gives students more opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with staff and faculty.

“They make you feel at home – like it’s your second home,” Smith continued.

Matthew Cardozo, another high school student, shared Smith’s view.

“It helps a lot,” Cardozo said. “The teachers help you a lot. Especially Mr. Rob – Mr. Rob is the GOAT (greatest of all time). Even if we have a bad day, he always comes and talks to us. It’s a good learning environment.”

Student Gabriella Gamble stated that “the work is easy – there are no distractions or phones.”

The other two agreed.

“I didn’t like it at first, but then we do so much that you just forget about it,” Cardozo added.

“That’s what makes life worth it”

The mission of the neighborhood watch is to help maintain this environment. Despite the move, Gonzalez said he and Soli are in talks about continuing some type of partnership to increase volunteering.

However, Gonzalez said he will miss the routine at Riverview, especially because of its proximity to the school, both physically and emotionally.

“My house is across the street, so I can hear them playing in the school yard,” he said. “I have sliding glass doors in the dining room, so I can see them. And I hear laughter and joy when I drink coffee – I will miss it.”

Soli thanked Gonzalez, Riverview faculty and staff, and local officials for helping organize the event and supporting the school.