Inclusive Schools Week News

Volume 3, No. 8, December 2007

Inclusive Schools Week™ highlights and celebrates the progress our schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to all students, particularly those who have disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It also provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools cont inue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children and youth. ISW News is your source for updates and information about the Week--and other resources and events related to building more welcoming and supportive schools and communities.

In this issue

  • Inclusive Schools Week Update: Celebrations across the Nations
  • Tip of the Month: Celebrate Success!

Celebrations across the Nations

On November 26, President George W. Bush recognized the 7th Annual Inclusive Schools Week with a message of appreciation to parents, teachers, school officials, and all those who are committed to expanding opportunities for young Americans:

“By supporting quality education and high standards in our schools, we make sure every child is encouraged to grow in knowledge and character….Your efforts reflect the compassionate spirit of our Nation.”

Inclusive Schools Week participants from schools and communities across the United States, Canada, and other nations have flooded our email box with details about their exciting celebration plans. We are pleased to share a sampling of the messages below.

Magee Middle School (Tucson, AZ) has a variety of activities planned for everyone in the school community:

  • The Student Council is making 800 ribbons that will be distributed to all students during the Week.
  • The Tucson Lobos, a local wheelchair basketball team, will visit physical education classes for a demonstration game.
  • Alison Hasel, a runner up in Ms. Wheelchair Arizona, will be a guest speaker at a student assembly.
  • A music therapist and an art therapist will conduct special classroom lessons.
  • Students will participate in a school-wide essay contest with shirt prizes from The Nth Degree.
  • Teacher appreciation activities include: a breakfast to kick off the Week and a lunch on Friday; "a spa at work" complete with chair massages, manicures, and eye soothers.
  • The Arizona Wins with Inclusion Program will lead a professional development day.

The school board of Douglas County School District (CO) will pass a resolution declaring December 3-7 Inclusive Schools Week. The Department of Instructional Support Services will publish a special edition of its newsletter focusing on exemplary educational practices. Special education team leaders and district coordinators have been invited to submit a description of the "best, most creative, innovative, successful, or out-of-the-box inclusionary practice" in their school. Entries will be included in a drawing to win a trip to the National LRP Special Education Convention in North Carolina.

Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, FL) will celebrate Inclusive Schools Week by providing additional instructional and scheduling supports to its schools. Every school will receive a toolbox with resources designed to assist all teachers as they craft their work with students with disabilities. Also, DCPS, Florida Inclusion Network/Duval, and Council for Exceptional Children Chapter 75 will gather together to share how elementary and secondary schools have met the needs of the students with disabilities through a flexible scheduling process.

Families Together, Inc., the state PTI in Kansas, will host its 3rd Annual Statewide Inclusion Conference "Together We're Better," with an expected audience of 200 parents and professionals. Michael Remus, Director of Special Education for Deer Valley Unified District (Phoenix, AZ), is the featured speaker, with a presentation titled "The Road to Systems Change."

Louisiana Together Educating All Children (LaTEACH), in conjunction with the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, held a statewide inclusive schools art/essay contest. Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony at the Louisiana Department of Education. Guest speakers will include Craig Blackburn, a young man with Down Syndrome, who received a high school diploma as a result of inclusive practices, and Lynnette Doga Fontenot, a woman with cerebral palsy and needs 24-hour supports, will talk about her inclusive school experience resulting in her associates degree. LaTEACH also is hosting a book reading of Don't Call Me Special with members of the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education.

Whittier Elementary (Frederick, MD) has many fun and creative ideas for celebrating the Week planned. Staff members are invited to wear their "worst ensemble possible" to promote the message: "No matter what we wear, we're still the same on the inside and still included in the Whittier Elementary Community." During morning announcements, students will share their name and "I am included because....". Students will also sign a banner with the message "We're all included" with something special about them.

Mayor Thomas Menino signed a proclamation declaring December 3-7 Inclusive Schools Week in Boston.

The Patrick O'Hearn Elementary School (Boston, MA) scheduled numerous activities throughout the month of December, including inspirational presentations by young adults with disabilities. On Friday, December 7, the entire pupil population will gather for after-school assembly showcasing the writing, artistic, acting, and musical talents of the students. Community members and local officials are invited to the celebration that highlights how inclusion works in this urban school.

Granby Public Schools (Granby, MA) is organizing a variety of events for students and families: a puppet show to teach elementary students about bullying, a musical performance by students with disabilities for middle school students; workshops and video presentations for high school students; and a workshop for families on Parents' Rights and Responsibilities.

For the second consecutive year, the Michigan Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution declaring December 3-7 Inclusive Schools Week in the state.

Pecan Park Elementary School (Ocean Springs, MS) is encouraging its students to make connections with other children and youth around the world. They will learn about the diversity of the different countries and share day-to-day activities, holiday traditions, language diversities, and much more. A bulletin board will display a map of the world and connections students have made to places around the globe, as well as letters, pictures, and postcards the classes receive from their pen pals.

School Administrative Unit #53 in New Hampshire, comprised of five towns in the state, has a Learning Circle of administrators, special educators, general educators, and specialists that focuses on inclusion. The group has invited Dan Habib, who produced the film, "Including Samuel" to an after-school showing of the movie.

The School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) has organized a variety of celebrations using the Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Kit as a guide, including:

  • Activities that promote citywide awareness: window displays and site visits for school district personnel, community, and media
  • Activities that increase knowledge and skills: professional development and training; highlight materials from the "Celebration Ideas: Activities and Resources for Schools, Classrooms, and Families" (e.g., "Teaching the Levees," a Spike Lee film)
  • Activities that change the system: inclusive practices mini-grants, collaborations with Arcadia University, and district proclamation

The Inclusion Team at Jefferson Middle School (Pittsburgh, PA) recently founded an International Club to raise student awareness, appreciation, interest, and respect for various cultures throughout the world and to help ESL students develop stronger connections to the school. The club will host its 1st Annual International Night during Inclusive Schools Week.

Caroll Independent School District (Southlake, TX) has planned a celebration using the song, "Take a Walk in Someone Else's Shoes." Students with and without disabilities will perform the song in American Sign Language. Each day of the week will have a different focus related to building awareness, respect, and community. Each class will read and sign a "Constitution of Caring," physical education classes will participate in disability awareness training, and much more.

To celebrate Inclusive Schools Week, Mount Daniel Elementary School (Falls Church, VA) has adopted the theme "There is a place for everyone in the Mount Daniel School Community." Teachers will give each student a puzzle piece to decorate with an illustration of their favorite things or something that makes them special. The pieces will fit together to make a large "quilt" for each class, and will fit together into one large puzzle representing the larger Mount Daniel community.

Rainbow Schools (Ontario, CA) are holding workshops aimed at building empathy and understanding of children with special needs. Families and staff will attend assistive technology workshops to help them better meet the needs of exceptional learners.

The classes at the Webbwood Public School (Ontario, CA) will create posters advertising the Inclusive Schools Week theme, "Great things are happening in inclusive schools," and families will be a part of the classrooms during the Week. Students will learn sign language, and a guest speaker will join the children in signing. Classes will also connect with pen pals around the globe and will learn about other world traditions.

Tip of the Month

Celebrating Success!

Collaboration among people is one of the most important factors in successful inclusive schools. Inclusive Schools Week happens during a time that many cultures consider a season of celebration and giving. This is a perfect time to celebrate the people who you credit with being supportive of inclusive education in your school and community—the teachers, families, and students who work together to make your school successful. Collaboration isn’t always easy…visit the Inclusive Schools web site for tips to celebrate all of the hard work your team has done together.