A Carnival of Possibilities: Bringing Joy and Inclusion to Exceptional Learners
Melia Martin
ID-4016
School Name:Oakridge Middle
Grant Request Grade:6
Grant Request Subject:Other
Additional Details
Our goal is to create a fun, inclusive carnival experience for students with severe and profound disabilities. Through engaging games, sensory activities, and hands-on experiences, students will build social skills, celebrate their achievements, and enjoy meaningful opportunities to learn and connect with others. With your support, we can create a day filled with joy, confidence, and lasting memories for our special learners and their best buddies.
For many of our students, opportunities to participate in school-wide celebrations can be challenging. This carnival will provide a safe, accessible, and joyful experience where students can explore, learn, interact with peers, and celebrate their successes. Students helpers in our best buddies club will be running the carnival style games and helping their buddies participate in events. Through these meaningful activities, students will gain confidence, strengthen social connections, and experience the happiness of being fully included in their school community. The carnival has many games that promote OT/PT skills, we have some hands on art projects for the students to make and take, some treats they can make while learning easy cooking and food preparation, and some fun prizes along they way at our carnival booths!
Our Best Buddies helpers, who are non-disabled peers, gain valuable leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while supporting students with severe and profound disabilities. Through these meaningful interactions, they develop empathy, patience, compassion, and a deeper understanding of inclusion and acceptance. Participating in the carnival also allows them to build genuine friendships, celebrate differences, and become advocates for creating a more welcoming and inclusive school community.
For our students with disabilities, inclusion means more than simply attending an event. It means having the opportunity to participate, interact, and succeed alongside their peers. The Special Needs Carnival will provide adapted activities that encourage communication, sensory exploration, social engagement, and physical participation. Most importantly, it will give our students the chance to build friendships, increase self-confidence, and experience the excitement of a celebration created with their needs in mind, ensuring every child feels seen, included, and celebrated
Funding for this project will provide materials and supplies needed to host an inclusive Carnival for students in our 3 modified curriculum units (22 students) and allow the Best buddies (45 students)to run booths and help their buddies enjoy the special events. Funds will be used to purchase a variety of carnival games/sensory activities, prizes, decorations, and any extra materials that encourage participation and engagement for students of all abilities.
435.00
24 Pack Mini Plush Animal Toys
25.00
Giant Inflatable Crayon Outdoor Bowling Set
30.00
Portable Cornhole Set PVC Framed Corn Holes Outdoor Game Set
34.00
Large Prize Drop Board Game Family Foldable Wood Disk Drop Game
