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Dear Parents,
We are pleased to announce that we are bringing back a special program that was piloted last year: Embracing our Differences. We are making a few small structural changes, such as spreading the events over a month vs. a week (Embracing our Differences Month vs. Embracing our Differences Week) but the basic goal is the same: to build awareness around students who are differently abled and expand the spirit of inclusiveness at Oak Knoll. The overarching theme every year is the message of "difference - not deficit." The program explores ways in which we are all more alike than we are different - including people with physical, mental or learning differences. It challenges us to look at ways in which our society can be more accessible to those with special needs.
In addition to assemblies, guest speakers, classroom activities, puppet shows and discussions, we will be using themed books, KNOL, coffee talks and special events to educate our students and their families. (See below for a full schedule of events!). We want to help make sure that all children learn to treat one another with kindness and respect and understand better the many different ways children can be a part of our school community. Most importantly, we want to help ALL children at Oak Knoll feel connected, regardless of ability or learning profile.
This year we will focus on helping children understand more about Language Impairments and Cerebral Palsy, whereas last year we presented information about ADHD and wheelchair users. We plan to use a variety of sources of information and methods to explain these challenges, and we intend to use these conditions to stimulate discussion about children who are differently abled. No child will be singled out or discussed - all parts of the program are general in nature. However, if, for any reason, you feel that your child may need extra preparation for these types of discussions, please feel free to talk with them ahead of time yourself prior to November, or reach out if you would like more information or guidance from our staff (teachers, counselor, psychologist, or other Special Ed. Team members). We are here to support you and know that these topics can be sensitive for some children. Please also let us know if you have any specific concerns about your own child that we should be aware of ahead of time or if you would like to make a suggestion.
As we look ahead, we are absolutely thrilled to be bringing this enriching program to our children. It's been a team effort and labor of love for many people working diligently behind the scenes this year and last. We do also have a need for some parent volunteers to help us with key elements. Please contact Elaine Glynn or Jenny Ryan if you are interested in volunteering or if you have any questions about the exciting EOD month ahead!
Warmly,
Jenny Ryan School Psychologist Embracing our Differences Event Schedule
- Embracing Our Differences Event Kick Off Parent Night: Monday, November 9 at 7:00-8.30pm, Oak Knoll Library, Speakers: Dr Alette Coble-Temple, Ms. Wheelchair America 2016 & Eliza Riley, (Dis)abilities Advocate who will share their experiences of having a disability from childhood through to adulthood, the challenges they met and the experiences they gained.
- Student Assembly #1: Thursday November 12, Speaker Dr. Alette Coble-Temple
- Student Assembly #2: Wednesday November 18, Speaker Eliza Riley
- Student Assembly #3: Friday November 20, Dance Performance by students from the College of Adaptive Arts, San Jose
- In-classroom modules: Every Monday in November, to encourage students to discuss and think about differences and abilities
- Art, Music, Physical Education & Library Programs will be incorporating this theme into their work with students in imaginative and fun ways!
- Abilities Hall of Fame: All month at the library, a look at famous people (some are surprising!) that have disabilities. Open to all - come in and have a look!
- KNOL TV: Embracing Our Differences Theme - various days throughout November
Volunteers Needed
Please come help during Embracing our Differences Month! This year we are expanding our Puppet Show program to all K-2 grades! Puppets are a fun way to engage children of this age in understanding and discussing complex themes. We will be utilizing the puppet shows to explain to the children the concept of differing abilities and the importance of friendship and caring. In the process they will also learn more about speech and language disorders and cerebral palsy in two separate shows (one per week) as well as disabilities in general. The students will get to ask questions in a short Q&A after. We have a wonderful set of puppets which are ethnically diverse and some puppet-size assistive technology (wheelchair, cane, orthotics etc) to add to the realism of the disabilities being discussed. But to make this happen we need puppeteer volunteers to operate the puppets and read scripts behind them (no memorization required!). The volunteers are required to attend a short training session (30mins max) during the week of November 2 (choice of 3 dates and times) and to be available for at least one 2 hour slot during the week of November 9 and/or November 16 to perform the 10-15 minute puppet show with 2 other volunteers (3 puppets total). Please contact Elaine Glynn if you can help out!
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