Holmes
was the first elementary school in the district to start a Circle of
Friends, the social language skills program of inclusion that provides
valuable support for students with special needs. It is based on the
establishment of friendships between students with disabilities and
their trained, nondisabled peers through meaningful interaction in a
natural environment. Circle of Friends clubs can be found throughout the
district at all school levels: elementary, middle and high schools.
During
Circle of Friends at Holmes Elementary, groups of one to two students
with special needs join three to four general education students for 35
minutes. The students eat lunch, play board games and participate in
structured, cooperative activities such as making friendship bracelets,
creating cards and playing Buddy Bingo. During the holidays, the Circle
of Friends had a Halloween mummy contest, played Pin the Feathers on the
Turkey and decorated Christmas cookies.
Circle
of Friends gives students with special needs the opportunity to learn
conversational language skills and work on developing positive peer
relationships. The general education students learn how to be patient,
tolerant and accepting of the students with special needs. The program
promotes teamwork, cooperation and working together.
To learn more about Holmes Elementary School, contact Principal Jonathan Saipe at jsaipe@sandi.net. For more information about Circle of Friends, contact Brittni Weaver, speech pathologist, at bweaver@sandi.net.
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