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Cedar Grove High School made Exceptional Children’s Week extra special for a group of exceptional students. The school partnered with Best Buddies, International and sponsored a Sneaker Ball Gala Extravaganza on April 16 to raise funds for the program.
Best Buddies helps students with intellectual disabilities gain independence, self-advocacy, communication skills, and meaningful friendships while securing successful jobs and feeling valued by society.
Ms. Tonya Bush, a special education teacher at Cedar Grove High, sponsors the Best Buddies chapter in the school. She has observed the positive impact of this program on her students through the one-to-one friendship initiative. This initiative builds friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions and enhancing the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.
“Our general education students take time out of their busy school day to stop by their friendship partner classroom to say hello and, at times, spend their lunch breaks working with them on activities,” said Ms. Bush. “Showing someone that you care makes a whole lot of difference.”
Funds from the Sneaker Ball will be used to provide community-based instruction and activities for the students. Charles Gerth danced with his classmates and thanked his teacher, Ms. Bush, for organizing the event.
“Thank you so much for all of the good stuff and positive things you do,” said Charles. “We are having a good time, enjoying ourselves. It’s a great day, a beautiful day.”
Ms. Bush hopes Best Buddies will help students with and without disabilities form lasting friendships.
“Our students in this era do not quite understand that all students are the same, but they learn differently,” she said. I not only host an event every month, but I also educate my Best Buddy members. As an advisor, it is essential that general education students know what intellectual disabilities mean.”
Get more information on Best Buddies…