Mexico Public Schools to Host an Inclusion Revolution
By: Kate Blessing, Director of Special Education
Mexico Public Schools is excited to host our first Inclusion Revolution day on March 31, 2023 to be held at the High School Sports complex from 9:00 to 1:00. Spearheaded by Ms. Jessica Nunan, our Special Olympics Coach who has partnered with the Special Olympics organization, the day will be filled with a pep rally, sports, games, face painting, dancing and so much more. The goal of the day is not only to have a day of fun with our Special Olympics athletes, but to partner each of them with a buddy and promote inclusion in our schools.
The mission of the Mexico Public Schools Special Athletes is to promote social inclusion by bringing together young people with and without intellectual disabilities. Providing activities that blend all populations through inclusive student clubs and organizations help foster youth leadership. At its core, this integrated strategy is about unifying all students by using sports and inclusion activities as a catalyst for social inclusion along with attitude and behavioral change. 261 special education students, special athletes, and unified partners from MPS will be participating along with 117 guests from six neighboring districts!
The activities for the day’s events will be facilitated by MHS clubs and some area organizations such as Art Club; Stu-Co; Jellybeans; Baseball; BASS Fishing Club; Boys Tennis; Girls Wrestling; Bulldog Esports; Cheer Squads; FACS; FFA; Health Department; Health Volunteer-Samantha Wilson; Spanish Club; TOPS; Book Eaters; FBLA. We appreciate the great response from these volunteers in helping us provide a day of fun and social inclusion!
As hosts, we will be providing lunches and snacks for our students and all of our guests. Our MPS students will also receive a t-shirt with a quote that reflects the mindset of our special athletes' determination: I Can and I Will - Watch Me. Our Special Athletes are also selling t-shirts to raise money for our Inclusion Revolution with a design noting ‘First Inclusion Revolution March 31st, 2023: Inclusion is Within Everyone’s Ability’. A huge thank you to the students from MPS Graphic Arts Class who developed these designs!
We are also looking for volunteers who would be willing to facilitate an activity for our students and guests. If interested, please email [email protected] or [email protected] . Anyone who wishes to make a monetary donation can do so by sending it to MPS Special Athletes 2101 Lakeview, Mexico MO 65265. 100% of the donations will be applied to the MPS Special Athletes fund.