[ad_1]
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio – This pandemic has reshaped the world around us, including our schools.
Students do more than homework. They navigate new ways of learning, while balancing the divisions in our communities.
Even though the school day ended in North Olmsted, the gymnasium at Chestnut Intermediate was full. The group of third, fourth and fifth graders stick around for a special club.
It’s called Helping Hands Friends Club.
“We’re only in the early childhood stages, but it’s amazing how just two meetings make… the difference you see in the way kids behave towards each other in the world. hallway, â€said director Brett Monnin.
Brand new this school year, the club serves as a disability awareness program, helping students learn attitudes of acceptance, dignity and respect towards all people, especially people with disabilities.
“We don’t want to exclude anyone. We’re here to help them fit in and make them feel like they’re not left out, â€said Dallas Esson, a fifth-grader.
“I thought it was a perfect way of knowing what to bring and embracing our differences and celebrating each other,†said administrative assistant Vickie Lofton.
Lofton is the mastermind behind Helping Hands. She says that with the pandemic, a charged political climate and constant change, students needed a way to connect with each other.
“There are so many negative things going on and you know we’re trying to figure that out, but in the meantime I want positive things for our students,†Lofton said.
Using simple activities, teachers and staff help students experience what it can be like to go to school with a disability.
At just three meetings, Monnin thinks it makes a difference.
“I think I’ve learned more about helping people in different ways,†said fourth-grader Gracie Fuoco.
Especially for those students whose socialization skills have taken a step backwards with distance learning.
“And because of that, it’s even more crucial right now. It’s more important, â€Monnin said.
“We are moving in the right direction. (This) may be slow, but compared to where we were a year and a half ago, it’s an improvement, â€said Lofton.
RELATED: At Beachwood, students from many walks of life are leading the charge for inclusion, value, respect
Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, as well as alerts on top news, latest weather forecasts, traffic information and much more. Download now to your Apple device here, and your Android device here.
You can also watch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We are also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.
[ad_2]
