417. Social Inclusion: A School-Wide Leadership and Learning Opportunity See one middle school’s tips and tools used to successfully create a school culture of authentically engaged students where an attitude and atmosphere of acceptance promotes social inclusion and a positive school climate for all. Presenter(s): Bill Schreiber Chris Collette, Rebekah Clark Location: Morehead

1. Social Inclusion, A
School-Wide Leadership
and Learning
Opportunity
Bill Schreiber, Rebekah Clark, and Chris Collette • 3.7.2016

2. 10 Reasons for Inclusive Schools
All children have equal access.
All children learn alongside their same-age peers.
Focus is on child’s abilities, not disabilities.
Everyone is valued and participates to the best of their ability.
Various resources and technologies are used for different
learning styles.

3. 10 Reasons for Inclusive Schools
Teachers are highly trained at delivering a differentiated curriculum to meet
individual needs.
Students have positive and appropriate supports in the classroom.
Children become accepting of one another.
Meaningful relationships develop among students as they spend time with
one another.
Students develop confidence in their ability to interact with the world
around them.

4. Are you opening doors?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIHtuKc3Gjg

5. What doors have you
opened for students?
http://goo.gl/0tfpTR

6. Granite Falls
Middle School
Doors We’ve Opened:
Inclusive Youth Leadership
Project Unify Student Leadership Team
Inclusive Classrooms
Academic class auditing
Reverse Mainstreaming
Sports and Skill Development
Inclusive PE Classes/Makerspace
Inclusive Talent Show
Project Unify Awards
School/Community Awareness
Lunch Buddies
Inclusive Student Clubs
Special Olympics Game Day

7. What is Project UNIFY?
Project UNIFY is an education-based project that
uses the sports and education programs of Special
Olympics to activate young people across the U.S. in
order to promote school communities where all
young people are agents of change - fostering
respect, dignity and advocacy for people with
intellectual disabilities.

8. We started Project
UNIFY in 2011.
We have grown in
membership from
22 to 78
members last
year!
Largest club in the
school !!

9. What makes up Project UNIFY?
Inclusive Sports Opportunities
Youth Leadership
Whole School Involvement
Community Connections

10. Project UNIFY Activities at Granite
Falls Middle School
Designed and presented an exhibit at the
Caldwell County Anti-Bullying Fair.
Awarded First Place for Best Exhibit!

11. NOT IN
OUR HOUSE!
Granite Falls Middle
School
Project UNIFY

12. Effects of Project UNIFY
Decrease in bullying, harassment, and
intimidation incidents
Increase in acceptance
Friendships made and relationships built
Success in Inclusion settings
School feels more like family
Students become agents of change instead of
teachers or administrators

13. Commitment Contract
Must commit to following 10 standards
Consequences
Must fully participate in at least one
activity per semester
Must be a positive role model
Student and parents are required to
sign
Teachers must recommend

14. Inclusive Sports
Unified Sports
Can be competitive, developmental or recreational
Young Athletes Programs
inclusive program focusing on training and
participation in play activities

15. Spring Special Olympics Pep Rally

16. Inclusive Sports:
Caldwell County Spring/Fall Special Olympics

17. Special Olympics Award Ceremony

18. Special Olympics Project UNIFY®
LOCAL SUPPORT IS KEY !!!!!!
Administration and Teacher flexibility allows efforts to evolve based on:
individual expectations,
experience and readiness,
student abilities and strengths (living strengths)
Properly and effectively implemented Project UNIFY supports promote
social inclusion as part of the fabric of the school.

19. Principal’s Role
Live outside the box !!!!!
-Mindset (Dweck) ---- Growth vs Fixed – U know where we R
-School classroom and schedule configuration
-Living our strengths (teachers and students)
-Learning styles inventories….
and teaching styles inventories
-Students are resilient
- together since elementary - used to the “tics” and behaviors

20. The Power of Teamwork

21. Judging
someone does
not define who
they are……….
It defines who
YOU are.
Ex. Ryan

22. Creating Activities that Engage Special
Education/General Education Students
Find out communication specifics, learning needs, and motivators.
Provide an extension of the core curriculum that allows differentiated
access and learning styles.
Matching pictures to vocabulary/concepts
Transcribing notes with support after a “mini” lesson
Allowing time for student drawing to summarize concepts
Connecting learning activities to personal interests

23. Student
Engagement
in the
learning
process.
MINDSET

24. Useful Resources to Engage Students in
Inclusive Activities
Resources
hands-on manipulatives
“brain training”
picture cues/short
directives
simple graphic organizers
kid friendly apps
Challenges
teacher/administrator interest
teacher knowledge of basic academic learning stages
shifting from paper-pencil tasks to kinesthetic learning
unexpected behavior - acceptance and guidance

25. Share your commitment to social
inclusion with other teachers by:
Word of mouth
Video successful moments
Guest speakers
Invite the media and have fun

26. Opportunities for Student Leadership
Academic Teams (math team, debate club, etc.)
Arts (theater, band, choir, glee club, dance, etc.)
Athletic teams
Community service/volunteering
Employment (before/after/during school jobs, internships)

27. Opportunities for Student Leadership
Peer Tutoring/advising
School newspaper/school newsletter/yearbook
Student led multi-media presentations
Morning news
announcements
Emcee events
Youth Educators Summit (Yes) 3 of last 4 years
hosted in 2014

28. Whole School and Community Involvement
Get Into It®
R-Word Campaign
Pep rallies for Special Olympics
Fundraisers-- Polar Plunges, Corn Hole Tournaments
Spirit Days—

29. Opportunities for Community
Members and Community Group
Engagement
Project Unify 5K “Run to Unite”
Christmas tree on the Square
Parade Float

30. Perception is reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maUICwTzK5k

31. What is the perception of
social inclusion in
your school or
community?

32. T’s progresssion of work

33. E’s progression of work

34. A’s progression of work

35. Be kind. Always be kind.

36. QUESTIONS ??????

37. Contact Information
Rebekah Clark rclark@caldwellschools.com
Chris Collette ccollette@caldwellschools.com
Bill Schreiber bschreiber@caldwellschools.com
Granite Falls Middle School 828-396-2341
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