RICHMOND, Va. –– Riverside School, Virginia’s most trusted school for dyslexic students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, has announced that the school has received a $500 grant from Woodfin Heating Inc. and ExxonMobil Corp. through the company’s Educational Alliance Grant program.
(Above: Catherine Green, brand manager at Pit Stop and Woodfin Heating Inc., and Riverside Head of School Hal Waller join in acknowledging and celebrating this grant.)
The gift will be used to support Riverside’s math and science lessons and programs, as well as to facilitate students’ progress in these subject areas and enhance school resources. The grant will also be used to further the school’s mission which is to provide remediation of language skills for students with dyslexia and similar language-based learning differences in grades K-8, so that they can return to mainstream education fully prepared to realize their highest potential.
“We are most thankful for this very gracious grant from Woodfin Heating, Pit Stop convenience stores, and ExxonMobil,” said Hal Waller, Riverside’s Head of School. “With their commitment, Riverside will continue to be able to provide a high-quality educational experience for our students by maintaining quality of instruction and an exceptional learning environment that is centered on unlocking kids’ potential.”
From Woodfin’s roots as a provider of home heating oil, the company has expanded over the years to include propane delivery, heating and cooling equipment installation and servicing, electrical and plumbing services, as well as home security and automation. A constant since the company’s founding in 1977 is its German Shepherd mascot, whose image is on Woodfin trucks. Woodfin Heating runs Pit Stop convenience stores that are branded Exxon. Woodfin has 20 Exxon gas stations across Virginia.
“We believe our company ideals of care, trust, hard work, and community engagement align perfectly with the overarching principles of Riverside School, making this dedication of funds a natural fit,” said Jack Woodfin, CEO of Woodfin. “We believe our connection to and support of Riverside is consistent with our commitment to education and ensuring a brighter future for children in the greater Richmond community and beyond.”
ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting educational programs, like Educational Alliance, that focuses on improvements in math and science from preschool to higher education. The company consistently supports the next generation in their pursuit of gaining knowledge of math and science and aids students in using their experiences to explore careers in these fields.
Riverside displays a commitment to teaching the valuable lessons that math and science offer. With this in mind, all companies associated with the grant gift agree it is important for teachers to be equipped with helpful resources and for students to engage in the exploration and intricacies of these subjects—and to apply them to real-world endeavors.
With a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, Riverside’s teaching approach is dedicated to providing small classes, individualized curriculum that is appropriately and academically challenging, as well as one-on-one instruction and a nurturing environment to enhance the learning experiences of children with dyslexia.
Riverside’s teachers are exceptionally well-prepared to educate children with different learning needs. Highly committed, experienced and creative, Riverside’s faculty utilize the principles of the Orton-Gillingham (O-G) Approach, a research validated approach to reading instruction. All Riverside teachers are specially and extensively trained in the O-G Approach. This approach serves as the foundation for the school’s programs and is fully integrated into classroom core subject instruction. Additionally, teachers have access to the latest research, best practices, and technological resources.
Riverside’s hallmark one-on-one Language Fundamentals (LF) instruction uses the O-G Approach to build close teacher-student relationships to allow for continuous feedback and positive reinforcement, leading to a high success rate, increased self-confidence, and a bright future for children.
About Riverside School
An independent day school based in Richmond, Va., Riverside School’s mission is to provide remediation of language skills for students with dyslexia and similar language-based learning differences in grades K-8, so that they can return to mainstream education fully prepared to realize their highest potential. Riverside’s teaching approach is dedicated to providing small classes, individualized curriculum, one-on-one instruction, and a nurturing environment to enhance the learning experiences of children with dyslexia.
About Woodfin Heating Inc.
Woodfin’s Management team has many years of combined experience in all sorts of home services and maintenance needs, such as Oilheat, heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, security and more. Woodfin believes nothing compares to the quality of work that comes with experience. Knowing how vast the company’s experience is both in the field and behind the scenes, customers can rest assured that when they select Woodfin they choose the best, most experienced team in Richmond.
About ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Grant Program
Exxon and Mobil are fueling young minds and helping create aha moments through the Educational Alliance. Since its inception, the company has committed more than $34 million to this national program, which funds math and science programs at schools in need. It’s part of an ongoing effort to support science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education within the communities we serve.
Through the company’s partnership with the Educational Alliance, Exxon and Mobil help give students the tools and technology they need to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they see in the real world.
About Pit Stop Convenience Stores
Whether travelling near or far, Pit Stops are convenience stores that range from consumers’ neighborhood store to mini-markets to quick-serve restaurants. Customers will typically find everything from today’s paper to the newest snack and drink products on the market. Most Pit Stops sell Exxon branded fuel. Friendly, ready-to-help sales associates get visitors what they need with a smile—and get customers back in the race as quickly as possible. There are 20 Pit Stops in Virginia—as far east as Virginia Beach, Va., as far north as Fredericksburg, Va., and as far west as Lexington, Va.