Disability or not, students play together in South Elgin
From afar, it looked like a regular, pleasant Tuesday morning at a playground in South Elgin: Kids running about, gliding down slides, swaying on swings and blowing bubbles in the wind. But up close, it was all but ordinary.
The field trip at SEBA Park included about 40 students from Sunnydale Elementary School in Streamwood who kicked off the "Together, We Are Able" educational program that brings together children with and without disabilities.
Mainstream students and special education students are paired up as "buddies" to enjoy the experience, which is educational for the mainstream kids - whose misconceptions are challenged - and therapeutic for the special ed kids - who get exposed to sensory stimuli and have a chance to hone their social skills - said Marnie Norris, director of programs for the nonprofit Shane's Inspiration.
The California-based group was hired by the nonprofit FUNdation of South Elgin to help with design and programming for the playground, opened in August. Norris flew to Illinois to help kick off the program, which includes before-and-after workshops with the kids.
A mainstream student, she said, quickly learns that his buddy "is not just a child with autism. It's Sam, and his favorite color is blue. They see what they can do and what they love to do. The only way you can get past the disability is seeing what they can do."
The field trip was eye-opening, said Sunnydale Principal Denise Lockwald.
"I have never seen anything like it," she said of the playground. "I love this. It's a lot of different sensory and tactile elements. There is something for everybody. I have not seen any of our kids go to the side because they can't find anything to do."
Among the buddy teams were fourth-grader Joel Minxolli and sixth-grader Gwyn Cusi, who learned of a mutual love of the Japanese animated series "Dragon Ball Z." Both had a blast on the new playground equipment.
"I liked the swing because it has a big chair," Gwyn said.
"I think it's really cool. The roller slide was my favorite part," Joel said. "I would tell other kids, 'Bring your friends over. It will be really cool.'"
The Sunnydale students were the first to go on an educational field trip. Students from Willard Elementary School and Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin were scheduled to do that Wednesday, said Karen Cluchey, playground committee chairwoman for the FUNdation. The park also has been used for activities by the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, Cluchey said.
Lockwald said she plans to talk about the initiative at a principals' meeting for Elgin Area School District U-46 next week. "I will definitely spread the word."
The FUNdation raised funds and obtained grants in partnership with the village to build the playground, whose last phase still needs to be built. The $385,000 project, Cluchey said, will include tot swings, an area for ages 2 to 5, a water and sand play table accessible to wheelchairs and a spinner also accessible to wheelchairs.
A BBQ fundraiser for the FUNdation will take place June 15 at Willard Elementary School in South Elgin. This year meals will be available for pick up and drive-through only. Tickets are $15 and will be available next week at village hall, 10 N. Water St., and other village locations. For information call (847) 622-0003.