Circle of Friends is a nationwide organization focused on inclusion with students of special needs. The organization emphasizes the importance of helping special needs students make genuine friendships with their disabled peers.
“It is important [Circle of Friends] because the students are feeling included in their school community,” advisor Kiley Chihak said. “Their academics keep them from being included in the classes but this is a way for them to still be involved with their peers.”
Student government is a class offered at Kennedy that pushes students to get involved in their community. Every month, the student government class hosts a Circle of Friends event to play games and hang out with the students.
“Student government is all about being leaders of the school,” Student Government Advisor Collin Hollander said. “Interacting with our peers and giving them a sense of belonging is exactly what Student Government is all about.”
Students involved in the Service Learning and Leadership class painted pumpkins during the Circle of Friends event.
“I know that Student Government has service learning projects and as the leaders of the school, you set the example,” Chihak said. “You guys really help everybody else see that these are just people and they deserve a chance to be a part of things just like everyone else.”
Kennedy’s special needs community will participate in Superstar Kickball at Harding Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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