Abstract

At Greenbriar Elementary in Anderson, Indiana, preschoolers with disabilities are paired with older alternative students who are encouraged to help them with varied activities. With supervision from school staff, RSVP volunteers, local church members, and community college and university students, this program has resulted in the dissolution of prejudice against those with disabilities and an increase in self-esteem in at-risk students as these dissimilar groups take part in school and community service-learning activities. Debbie Myers submitted this effective practice in September 2002.

Back to top

Issue

At most elementary schools teachers feel that there is never enough time or hands to accomplish all that needs to be done. This is especially true for teachers of students with special needs.

Back to top

Action

At Greenbriar Elementary School in Anderson, Indiana, 51 special needs preschool students are housed in the same building with approximately 45 alternative school students in grades 3-8. Effective practices that pair these two groups in service-learning and other school activities include:

• Educating the alternative students about disabilities.
• Enlisting the third to eighth grade alternative students to help in whatever way possible with the disabled preschoolers on an as needed basis.
• Arranging for the alternative students and the preschoolers to have short encounters initially. Then, as the year progresses, alternative students take on more responsibilities on different projects.
• Encouraging alternative students to think about ways they can help both the preschoolers and the community, and how they can transform these ideas into action.
• Examples of some of the activities include becoming book buddies to the preschoolers, helping them make cookies in home economics class, assisting at recess, helping out in music and physical education classes, planting a pumpkin patch and sowing over 100 spring bulbs, making playdoh, and creating craft and art projects.
• Adult supervision is provided by RSVP volunteers, local church members, high school practicum students from a childcare class, community college students studying to be physical therapists, and staff from the school.
• This program presents various opportunities for service-learning. Alternative students accompany the disabled preschoolers to the local YMCA where they act as swimming buddies; pairs of students have participated in plantings at a local park; games and tournaments have been held at a bowling alley, and students have visited nearby Anderson University. Teachers have added a reflection component at Greenbriar Elementary School.
• Funding for the program comes from a grant from the Indiana Department of Education as well as in-kind donations from the Anderson Community School Corporation, and local service clubs have provided additional funding for the program's second year (the 2002-2003 school year).

Back to top

Context

Anderson leaders have worked hard to create an outstanding educational system in both public and private schools, continually seeking ways to collaborate with families, other child and youth service agencies, and the community to provide the programs, services, support and environment necessary for all to be successful.

Back to top

Outcome

• Prejudices about disabilities have all but disappeared at Greenbriar Elementary School.
• Middle and elementary school students in need of positive attention have gained both a tremendous amount of self-esteem and opportunities to foster and execute responsibility and trust.
• Service-learning projects have contributed positively to both the school and the community.

Back to top

Evidence

The alternative school students at Greenbriar Elementary School continue to ask for ways that they can help the preschoolers. They are excited about the project and lasting friendships have developed.

According to one of the teachers at Greenbriar, "Hundreds of pictures have been taken in the past two years of the interaction of these two student groups. The pictures speak as loudly as words. The student faces tell the story of teamwork, caring and learning together."

Back to top

Posted On

January 28, 2003

Back to top

For More Information

Back to top

Related Practices

• Matching peer mentors with children who have disabilities

Back to top

Related sites

Anderson Community Schools

UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) Access AmeriCorps

Learn and Serve America

Topic Areas

• At-risk youth
• Community building
• Mentoring
• Service-learning
• Tutoring
• Disability inclusion
• Diversity
• Faith-based partnerships
• Partnerships
• School-community partnerships
• Senior Corps
• Volunteer
• RSVP
• Member
• Staff
• Students
• Education
• NSIP

Back to top