A group of independently owned businesses in Hartwood Towne Centre, along with a professional drummer from Sharpsburg, are enriching the lives of special-needs students in Indiana Township.
River Academy of Excellence, one of the only private schools serving special-needs students in Allegheny County, opened in 2023 in the plaza with just one student and one teacher.
Three years later, enrollment has grown to 10 students serving pupils in grades K-8 instructed by a staff of 10.
According to Cherie River of Indiana Township, CEO of River Academy, River Therapies and its newest sister company, River Mental Health Services, said students and staff at the school are benefiting from the ongoing generosity and support from numerous fellow tenants in the plaza along Saxonburg Boulevard in Indiana Township.
“Working hand in hand with fellow business owners makes us feel like this big goal that we set out to achieve of opening a new private school right in the heart of Fox Chapel was something that our community respects and strives to come along aside us to encourage us daily,” River said. “Their belief in our dream to help children surpass what others said they could never accomplish brings the beauty of community together to make this world a better place.”
The students have access to the full-service River Pediatric Therapies clinic across the hall from the school’s main academic area featuring a large gym with a trampoline, climbing wall, sensory room, fine motor skills suite and more.
River Pediatric Therapies is celebrating 25 years, and therapy is integrated into students’ daily curriculum.
Music therapy in the form of weekly drum interactions with professional drummer Chris Belin, owner of Chris Belin’s Traveling Drum School based in Sharpsburg, is a highlight for academy students.
“Chris donates his time to teach drum circle,” River said. “He engages with all of the academy students with such an amazing, gifted approach that each child participates regardless of their ‘disability title’ — and this is hands-down the one time a week the students stay on-task. The students are eager to hear Mr. Chris teach and to feel the power of music.”
Belin incorporates steel drums, bongos and percussion drums during his lessons.
“We understand that music and rhythm have a way of bringing neurological stability to the child’s overall being,” River said.
Barbara Pagan, River Academy’s new director of education, brings more than 30 years of experience in the public school sector to the position. She said she’s excited to work at a school where students can grow academically, emotionally and creatively.
“I’m here to listen, collaborate and provide leadership that ensures children receive the best possible education,” Pagan said. “Together, with the support of families, I’ll build a school environment where each child is valued and encouraged to thrive.”
Foodie Fridays
John English owns Upper Crust Pizza and is the man behind free weekly pizzas for River Academy students on Fridays.
Sometimes the students walk across the plaza to dine in and other times they eat at the school.
Regardless of where they enjoy the pizza, English said, giving back to students is part of his business credo.
“When I hear ‘no sprinkles’ I know what that means,” said English, referring to a student who always reminds English not to add “sprinkles” to the pizzas.
Sprinkles is a code name for oregano, usually a standard garnish on Upper Crust pizzas.
“They’re adorable, and what kid doesn’t love pizza day? I think they look forward to it,” English said.
Donating pies to hungry students is something that is important to English.
“Everybody feeds off of everybody. We’re not in competition,” English said of the Hartwood Towne Centre businesses. “We have a good relationship with each other, and it’s a good little plaza to be in.”
Jeannine Burkhart, owner of B&Z Deli Home Cooked Meals, teared up while talking about her food contributions to River Academy students.
Burkhart, who lives in Indiana Township, opened her deli 20 years ago. She serves a variety of traditional deli foods as well as her signature Italian-style chicken and Rueben sandwiches.
She donates food to the school in the form of holiday-themed meals and packaged foods that students can take home to share with their families.
“I feel like I need to help them. Cherie told me how some of the students are lower income and there was a need so that’s how it started,” Burkhart said. “One year, the students made me a big homemade card to thank me. That was really sweet.”
“We all do look out for each other. We try,” Burkhart said.
Supportive neighbors
Hartwood Daycare & Learning Center owner Allison Lichina donates the use of her large outdoor play space for River Academy students.
“Working with kids, it’s nice to have support from the community. Cherie asked if they could use the playground. It was an easy decision,” Lichina said.
River said having free access to an outdoor space for her students is another example of the generous support from her fellow business owners.
“It’s touching to feel the support and willingness in our Hartwood Towne Centre plaza — that fellow tenants and businesses stand beside River Academy — to help us provide a safe and welcoming school for the most amazing children on the planet, those with special needs who truly need community support and encouragment in order to reach their lifetime goals,” River said.
Hartwood Daycare enrolls about 50 kids and is accepting more children.
Lichina noted the plaza’s business owners follow an “it takes a village” mentality.
“It’s pretty fantastic because we need support from each other that we work with,” Lichina said.
Churn coffeeshop owner Kelley Costa provides meeting space at Churn for River and her staff.
“This plaza is tight with all of the businesses, and Cherie is the perfect person for what she does. She’s sympathetic and empathetic and understands the needs of the children,” Costa said. “Everyone is always willing to help each other out, and, as a business owner, we all complement each other well.”
River appreciates having a free meeting space to gather with business clients, administrators, staff and to conduct interviews.
“River Academy has limited administrative room because we use every square foot for our students and patients. It’s a welcome relief to have a cheerful meeting space,” she said.
Students are referred to River Academy by their public school districts. Allegheny Health Network Pediatrics in the plaza also refers some of its patients to River Academy.
Dr. Frank LeDonne of Hartwood Chiropractic offers stable support as the next-door neighbor of the school.
River said LeDonne is at the ready to bring in heavy packages that are delivered to the academy. He even shovels the sidewalk during snowstorms, she said.
“Dr. LeDonne comes to the rescue for the many things that come in the day’s life of a fellow business owner serving patients,” River said. “LeDonne has been flexible with school buses pulling in next door to his office, and it’s rare to have such an easy going, supportive neighbor. River Academy feels grateful for the type of kindness that has been bestowed to us each passing year from our fellow tenants.”
River said having a strong network of small-business owners makes her beyond grateful.
She is quick to point out the success of her start-up school is directly related to the collaboration and camaraderie developed among other independent business owners at Hartwood Towne Centre.
The accredited school, located at 3390 Saxonburg Blvd., Suite 250, has a maximum enrollment of 24 students, and enrollment is ongoing. For details, visit riveracademypa.com or call 412-535-2328.
