L’Observateur / April 25, 1999

DEAR EDITOR: Almost daily, we read about what a horrible job our Louisiana public schools are doing to prepare our children for the future. However, there is a school inSt. Charles Parish that is trying to make a difference. At New SarpyElementary and New Sarpy Kindergarten Center, the teachers, administrators and the community are making a difference that really counts.

New Sarpy has embarked on a long and tedious process which is both heart wrenching and heart warming. This process is called “inclusion,” and theteachers have made the ultimate effort to include the special needs children who are enrolled at New Sarpy.

This is a heart wrenching process because it does not come without heated discussions, tears and frustration. At the same time it is heart warming towitness children interacting with their peers in a regular setting regardless of disabilities. Teachers, administrators and students at New Sarpy havepulled down barriers, scoffed at stereotypes and accepted our special needs children into the classrooms.

Teachers, administrators and parents have pulled together in teams to adapt and modify the educational programs which impact these children. Changehas come slowly but steadily, at times, the pace seemed to crawl when nerves were raw and confidence was waning. The teams stuck together andcontinued through the process with tenacity. It has been truly remarkable tobe a part of this process – to fight through it, to cry through it, to laugh through it, but most of all, to learn through it.

When, at the end of the year, we look back on this process and wonder whether it was all worth it, we will remember the faces of the children who are “included” and their classmates. After all, isn’t that what education isall about – the children? We will thank God for the people who have thrown themselves whole-heartedly into our project – the teachers and administrators with whom we have laughed and cried! We will look back on this year as a success because attitudes are changing, eyes are being opened; this year is a success because each and every success starts in some small way and grows into something beautiful, and, at New Sarpy Elementary and Kindergarten Center, inclusion is growing and will thrive because of the people who believe with their heart and soul that if children deserve a meaningful education.

From the pre-school teacher who uses every moment as a learning experience to the inclusion teacher who works tirelessly to help our children, this school has heart. From the aides who are, in many, many instances, literally theright arm of the teacher, to the administrators who are opening their hearts and their minds to inclusion, this school has soul. From the special educationteacher who works hand-in-hand with the regular education teacher to the enrichment teachers who encourage, cajole, and motivate, this school has spirit.

Teachers, with little or no training in special education, volunteered to accept our children into their classrooms and into their hearts.

Administrators and teachers, alike learned to “team” with parents who, at times, provided on-the-spot training. Parents learned to participate in theeducation of their children. We have all learned through this process tomodify and adapt not only the educational program but also our attitudes.

Mutual respect and understanding followed.

It has been an incredible roller-coaster year. Thank you, teachers andadministrators of New Sarpy Elementary and Kindergarten Center, for working so tirelessly to include the special needs children of our school. It has notbeen a year without conflict, but it has truly been a year of growth. It isimpossible to list all of the professionals who have worked with that wonderful tenacious spirit to make inclusion “work” at New Sarpy which we, as parents, truly appreciate. The teachers, aides and administrators haveliterally been the heart, soul and guts of this process. You have provided us,as parents, with the motivation to continue and the spirit to carry on. Wecouldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for a beginning that hopefully has noend. This year has been a small step for us, but a giant step for our children.Without you, we could not have helped our children to make that leap toward independence. Thank you!Sincerely, M. Carol Marosits and Stephanie Yates

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher