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Ripples:
Circle of Friends is causing a wave of kindness, tolerance, and acceptance through the many events and experiences students have through the program. Ripples is our section showing the many “ripples” to this wave. You will see letters, comments, and experiences on this page that show how Circle of Friends continues to change lives every day for a lifetime.
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Grandmother Letter - |
| Life has given my 15 year old grandson more challenges than anyone should
have. By the time he was 5 he had diagnoses of ADHD, Pervasive Developmental
Disorder(mild autism), mild retardation, a mood disorder, and a chronic bowel problem.
He lives with me because his mother has similar issues and his dad is not in the picture,
so he is also trying to grow up without a mom and dad. Like I said, more than one child
deserves. What he wants more than anything is to fit in. I have hope for him and that
hope comes partly from the Circle of Friends program...... |
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Stage Manager Letter - |
| It’s about The Look. It’s very hard to describe. But night after night I saw it and
it was the biggest, best, most terrific “paycheck” I’ve ever received. It was The Look that
parents had in their eyes when they watched their special needs kids rehearse for the
Building the Circle Variety Show. It was a whole mix of things: awe, disbelief, longing,
joy, gratitude. All mixed into a single, staring look. Never in a million years did these
parents EVER expect to see their kid in a show; never in a million years n a show on a
big stage with a 900 seat sold-out house, with big lights and a killer sound system, with
costumes and production numbers with singing and dancing. Not their kid. Not the kid
with Downs Syndrome, or Autism, or Cerebral Palsy....... |
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Buddy Letter - |
| I am currently the coordinator for Circle of Friends. I teach Interrelated Special
Education 3rd-5th grades. In my opinion, the most critical fact about me is that I am a
living testimony to the importance of integration of all persons in society, because I am
quadriplegic from a Spinal Cord Injury that occurred in 1996 and a wheelchair user. My
integration back to work was crucial to my self-esteem and emotional status. The
acceptance from my students, parents and the staff was monumental to my recovery
process...... |
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Teacher Letter - |
| I am currently the coordinator for Circle of Friends. I teach Interrelated Special
Education 3rd-5th grades. In my opinion, the most critical fact about me is that I am a
living testimony to the importance of integration of all persons in society, because I am
quadriplegic from a Spinal Cord Injury that occurred in 1996 and a wheelchair user. My
integration back to work was crucial to my self-esteem and emotional status. The
acceptance from my students, parents and the staff was monumental to my recovery
process. ...... |
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Regular Education Buddy's Letter - |
| Friendship Club, one of the more enjoyable parts of my day at school. Okay, so everyone at our school knows what its like to get to school way to early in the morning and have class. The other
thing everyone knows at our school is that Encore is coming up right after your first class. In other
words if you can make it through your first class then you are gonna have some time to sleep.
Well that was never the case for me. From day one of my high school career i have gone to class and then gone to Friendship Club.... |
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Parent of a Regular Education Student's Letter - |
To whom it may concern,
As the parent of 3 children who have been actively involved in the
Friendship Club at our High School, I want to share a few thoughts with
you about its benefits. Two of my children are in college, and one is a
junior, still a member of this organization. All three of them viewed this
group as an avenue for them to reach out and serve others. What they didn’t
know ahead of time, was how much of a blessing they would receive in their
own lives.
The matching of the regular education students with the special
education students encourages relationships that are difficult to develop
during the course of a normal school day. These friendships are beneficial
for all involved, and they soon grow beyond the school boundaries.... |
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Parent of a Special Education Student's - |
9-18-06
As I write this letter, my son is sleeping. He is 15 years old, has
Down Syndrome, and recently had to undergo emergency surgery for a
ruptured appendices. He had no idea what was going on, and was terrified
to be in the hospital. That fear, however, was eased through the many
thoughtful gestures of his buddies in Friendship Club. The kids, in both
regular and special education, decorated cards for him. They made giant
banners, and even put one in the school lunchroom for other kids to sign. I
taped all of the cards and banners to the walls of the hospital room; they
covered every inch. He enjoyed looking at them, and loved reading all of
their names and messages. He knew that these were his friends. He had
buddies visit him in the hospital, even though it was school homecoming.
Knowing he had so many people who cared about him and missed him
was very comforting – to both him and me.... |
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Parent of a Special Education Student's Letter - |
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
As a parent of a special needs child, I fight for him all the time. I know he's a wonderful kid,
with amazing gifts. Most of the world though sees him as the kid who doesn't fit. No matter how
tolerant our school is, the outside world is not.
I cannot even begin to describe what it's like to watch your child, who has no short-term
memory, sign an entire song, with pure joy on his face. Or to watch him dance and sing in a
group, which I knew was a dream of his that I thought would never be fulfilled.... |
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Social Worker's Letter - |
To: Director of ARC of Sedgwick County
I feel that I am in a unique situation when expressing my opinion of the Friendship Club that was
the gift opened to us by Mrs. Valarie Wall. As the Social Worker for a High school I have
been directly involved with referring and witnessing the transformation that having Friendship
Club blossom and the miraculous results to those students involved.... |
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Special Ed Teacher's Letter - |
September 28, 2006
“It’s neat.” “Circle of Friends” is so cool.” “It’s so much
fun.” “I look forward to participating in all of the
activities.” “I enjoy helping others.” These are just a few
responses about the Circle of Friends program at our Middle School.... |
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Principal's Letter - |
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my pleasure to write this letter on behalf of our High School in support of the
benefits our Friendship Club has had on our entire student body. I truly believe it is
one of our most valuable programs.
When I arrived at the school three years ago, it was apparent immediately that our special
needs kids were different from those I had been in contact with at my other schools.
They were more outgoing and friendly.... |
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