1. Social Inclusion, A School-Wide Leadership and Learning Opportunity Bill Schreiber, Rebekah Clark, and Chris Collette 10.16.2015

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

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

5. Granite Falls Middle School Doors we’ve opened: Inclusive Youth Leadership Project Unify Student Leadership Team Inclusive Sports and Skill Development Inclusive PE Classes Special Olympics Game Day Inclusive Talent Show Project Unify Awards Project Unify 5k “Run to Unite” School/Community Awareness Lunch Buddies Student Clubs Academic Class Auditing Adopt a Tree on the town square/Parade

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. Spring Special Olympics Pep Rally

15. Inclusive Sports: Caldwell County Spring Special Olympics

17. Inclusive Sports: Caldwell County Fall Special Olympics

18. Special Olympics Award Ceremony

19. 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.

20. Special Olympics Project UNIFY® State office works with schools Help create unique Project UNIFY opportunities that best fit : - within the school’s existing programming -the population of students they serve, - and the school’s goals for creating a socially inclusive environment.

21. 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.

22. 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 -National School Climate Survey

23. The Power of Teamwork Teamwork

24. 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

25. Student Engagement in the learning process

26. 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

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

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

29. 09.05.XX 09.17.XX10.20.XX11.1.XX 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 (afterschool jobs, internships, etc.)

30. 09.05.XX 09.17.XX10.20.XX11.1.XX Opportunities for Student Leadership Peer tutoring/advising Publications (school newspaper, literary magazine, yearbook, etc.) Youth and Educators Summit (YES) — attended in 2012, held at GFMS in 2014

31. Whole School and Community Involvement Get Into It® R-Word Campaign Pep rallies for Local Winter and Spring Special Olympics Fundraisers-- Polar Plunges, Corn Hole Tournaments Spirit Days—Superhero, Everyone Counts, We All Rock, We’re All a Little Wacky, School Pride, etc.

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

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

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

35. Sustaining Social Inclusiveness 1.Inclusiveness of the school climate and effectiveness of the learning environment from multiple sources across all stakeholders in the school and community throughout the year. 2.This evidence guides decisions and plans for continuous improvement. 3.Evidence is used to improve experiences and progress toward goals to ensure inclusiveness and effectiveness of the learning environment. 4.Evidence of progress is communicated with the broader community to deepen understanding of an inclusive school climate and an effective learning environment which meets the needs of all students.

36. Be kind. Always be kind.

37. Contact Information Rebekah Clark rclark@caldwellschools.comrclark@caldwellschools.com Chris Collette ccollette@caldwellschools.comccollette@caldwellschools.com Bill Schreiber bschreiber@caldwellschools.combschreiber@caldwellschools.com Granite Falls Middle School 828-396-2341 We are on Facebook

38. Session Evaluation Let us know what you thought of this session. Complete an evaluation electronically on the conference app, or complete the paper evaluation located in the back of the program book. CEU Code: OR-27 CEU Code Earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) to maintain your teaching certification. Write down the CEU Code for every session you attend on the CEU card located in the back of the program book.