APS Celebrates Inclusive Schools Week December 5-9

Department of Special Education will host a program to recognize parents and students as ‘Champions of Inclusion’

ATLANTA – Atlanta Public Schools (APS) joins school districts and communities around the world in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) December 5-9, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that reach students with disabilities or have diverse backgrounds. This year’s theme is “Champions of Inclusion: POWerful Things Happen in Inclusive Schools.”

In celebration of ISW, APS’ Department of Special Education will host a program at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 8 featuring remarks by Timothy Griffin, recipient of The Bridges From School to Work Youth Achievement Award, and performances by the South Atlanta High School Sign Language Choir and the Shooting Starz Special Needs Cheerleading Team. Nicole Riggins, CEO of Shooting Starz Recreation Program and parent at Hollis Innovation Academy, and Marsha Sims, dyslexia advocate and parent at Sutton Middle School will be honored as “Champions of Inclusion.” The program will be held at the Atlanta Public Schools Center for Learning and Leadership auditorium, 130 Trinity Avenue, S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303.

Other individuals that will be recognized as “Champions of Inclusion” on APS social media channels throughout the week are:

• Holly Barbour, Adapted Art Teacher – recipient of the 2016 Croy West Special Needs Art Educator of the Year Award from the Georgia Art Education Association 
• Emily Max, Kindergarten Teacher, Toomer Elementary School – secured $100,000 grant from Farmers Insurance to fund an inclusive playground
• Edith Abakare, Parent Mentor – recipient of the 2016 Annual Phil Pickens Leadership Award from the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership
• Curtis Douglass, Principal, North Atlanta High School – strong supporter of Bridges From School to Work Program, the Grady Health Care Transition Program and APS Special Olympic Unified Sports

Additionally, APS has provided Inclusive Schools Week activities and lesson plans to teachers and administrators to use in the classroom such as reading morning announcements about famous people with disabilities; reading books about inclusion; hosting parent chats and resource fairs; and creating art and sensory projects. For more information about inclusive schools week, visit www.inclusiveschools.org