Activities uniting neurotypical students and students with disabilities have been on the rise at Woodgrove. Through Unified PE, the Adaptive Theater program, and the newly added United Sound, the opportunities that Woodgrove has to offer for all abilities in the student body are thriving throughout the building.
Unified PE is a program that unifies neurotypical students and students with disabilities to participate in athletic activities. Jason Toton, a Woodgrove PE teacher, and Greg Wolfe, an adaptive PE teacher, combine their students to create heartfelt relationships that will flourish not only inside the classroom but throughout the halls of the school and out in the community. Toton explains his favorite part of the class as “seeing the smiles on all students’ faces and seeing relationships build.” Senior Claire Thompson, a member of the United PE class, shared her inside look on the class and how it impacts not only her but the student body of Woodgrove. Thompson explains, “I think that it gives everyone a hands-on look to understanding adaptive kids are the same as us and can play and engage in the same sports as us.” Wolfe explains the class as “a great inclusive activity that really combines juniors and seniors to work with kids of all needs and all differences.”
Adaptive theater made its debut at Woodgrove High School in 2020. The leading teacher of this fantastic class is Beverly Pruzina. Pruzina explains, “Dr. Shipp and Ms. Fiore came to me and said we have the opportunity to try this out as a class, and I said ‘absolutely,’ because theater is for everyone. The class kicked off with the help of other staff members and Ms. Pruzina, and it continues to flourish. Pruzina expressed, “The goal is unified theater, but we are not there yet, because we don’t have gen ed students taking the class at the same time as the special ed students, but we hope to partner with others to expand the course.”
United Sound joined Woodgrove just six months ago with the help of Ryan Dempsey. United Sound is a worldwide organization that combines general ed students and students with special needs. The goal of this organization is to spread the beauty of music to allow social change to occur worldwide. Dempsey expresses how the class is very student centered and run by student mentors. “The first 45 minutes—the mentors use it for planning. The second half is used for the new musicians to learn,” Dempsey explained. Dempsey describes the class as “an opportunity to unite students who may not be able to take a band class in a typical situation.” He added, ”The class is growing with the help of the individuals involved and hopes to expand into becoming more involved in the worldwide organization.”
These activities give opportunity to all students and allow Woodgrove to be a place where everyone has a chance to participate. The activities are making strides in athletic and art programs, accommodating all students of all abilities and creating connectivity within the school and the community.