Kingsley Joins Special Olympics' School Program to Promote Inclusivity

Kingsley social worker Sheri Conner runs the 5th grade and middle school Peer to Peer program, which connects special education and neurodivergent students with their gen. ed classmates.

"Peer to peer is designed to support students with autism in building friendships; although it's not exclusive to students with autism. You may have a student with a different disability who just struggles to to pick up on social skills or to initiate friendships," said Sheri.

"They tend to enjoy being in their own world, so getting friends to talk to them and walk through the halls with them is meaningful. Their peers are not their helpers, they're their friends."

This school year, she set out to build on the program by establishing Kingsley Middle School as an official Special Olympics Unified Champion School (UCS).

UCS programs must include youth leadership opportunities, whole school engagement activities such as assemblies, and have to have an inclusive sport component.

Mrs. Conner chose Bocce as the school's official sport.

"Every child has the chance to participate. We go outside often and practice during school hours. They cultivate meaningful relationships through sports which creates an inclusive school climate."

The program is especially meaningful to Mrs. Conner, whose sister has a cognitive impairment and participated in Special Olympics activities for many years.

She plans to expand Peer to Peer and UCS activities next school year, and is actively looking for positive role models to join her program.

If you want to learn more, email her at sconner@northwested.com