Community Outreach: Hospital School Program

The Reading, Writing & Recovery School Program® (RWR) is a tutoring program within the Ronald McDonald® Children's Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center. RWR is committed to providing:

• Appropriate educational support to all school-age patients, ages 5 through 18 years
• Continuity of daily routines within the health-care setting
• An environment of trust, hope, acceptance and hospitality through care, concern, respect and cooperation in serving all patients and their families.

The school program is located in the Ronald McDonald® Children's Hospital and is under the direct guidance and supervision of Loyola's Child Advocacy Center. RWR services are available year round for all school-age patients:

• Who will be away from school less than 10 days and have school assignments to complete
• Whose doctor thinks they will be away from school for 10 or more days
• Who have a chronic illness that requires frequent hospitalizations

A referral to the Reading, Writing & Recovery School Program® may be initiated by any of the following:

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Social worker
• Child life specialist
• RWR staff person

There is no charge to you or your child for the services of this program. Reimbursement is sought through your child's public school district.

This program has been likened to "the one-room school house" where children and adolescents participate in programming specific to their grade level. We strive to bring some form of normalcy to your child's daily routine by offering this service. We suggest that you bring your child's schoolbooks to the hospital; this is one way of helping to create a sense of normalcy. Knowing that there is an education program to help them keep up with their work can help alleviate a sick child's worry while receiving treatment.

The RWR coordinator will contact your child's school in the event your child will be away from school for 10 or more days to create an education plan. This plan will provide the RWR staff with information necessary for your child to complete missed assignments.

Program Hours
The teacher is available Monday through Friday. The classroom is open for group instruction or for use by your child Monday through Friday. Individual instruction is by appointment only.

Additional Programming
Hospitalized children and adolescents are invited to participate in two special programs that help bring the outside world in to the hospital:

• Radio ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) is a real working radio station at Ronald McDonald® Children's Hospital. Patients, their families and staff participate in all aspects of the station's programming, such as acting as guest disc jockeys and spinning tunes.
• Baker's Dozen is a cooking program teaches children about different kinds of food as well as offers a cross-curricular program utilizing and strengthening math, science and social studies skills.

Teacher
Richard J. Taylor, M.Ed., is the Reading, Writing & Recovery School Program® Coordinator and Teacher. In addition to being an Illinois certified teacher, Richard has his Master's degree and brings with him a creative, caring and highly energized style of teaching. Richard's teaching background varies from public school teaching to teaching school within hospitals. With more than 20 years of experience as a seasoned teacher, Richard has an extensive background in the area of curriculum and instruction and is working towards his Special Education certification.

For more information on specialized programs or to take a tour, call (877) 216-KIDS.