The gifted program at Blendon and Walnut Springs middle schools launched a program this year that connects students with their peers with special needs.
Students applied for the opportunity to support peers by helping them with their math or reading assignments, joining them during adaptive physical education classes and practicing peer-to-peer social interactions.
Teachers and staff that helped foster the initiative include Yolonda Fett, Yaika Hicks, Patrick Quinn, Gabrielle Sotomayor, Deborah Wile, Sarah Thistlewaite and Quinn’s student teacher, Rebecca Pierce.
Both schools capped off the program with celebrations among students on May 11 and May 17.
In exit evaluations, students said they enjoyed making new friends, feeling useful, learning about and accepting differences and understanding the importance of listening and being respectful.
Blendon student volunteers include sixth-graders Tessa Aultman, Lee Chapman, Mason Imagie-Douglas and Hayley Wehner; seventh-graders Macie Anderson and Mason Wu; and eighth-graders Jacob Hirsh and Alicia Keenan.
Walnut Springs student volunteers include sixth-graders Lillian (Lilly) Carson, Eva Cisse, Anderson Davis, Aria Petry-Johnson, Delilah Jendretzky and Abrianna Mikel; seventh-graders Challyn Hillberry and A.J. (Jocie) Lee; and eighth-grader Kacee Bohan.
Building administration and school counselors along with the Gifted Education and the Special Education Departments support and maintain the program.