Teachers and The Arc of Delaware County Launch Contest

 

For the 5th year, Beta Omicron, the local chapter of a world-wide educators’ organization, is working with The Arc of Delaware County to sponsor a contest open to all Delaware County school districts.  The purpose of the county-wide grades K-8 contest is to help students understand the strengths and embrace abilities of people with developmental disabilities.

 Beta Omicron is part of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional organization of women educators.  This local chapter has 40 members representing several of the Delaware County schools.  Their mission is excellence in education, so they have partnered with The Arc to bring awareness of the abilities of people with developmental disabilities to school kids and their communities.

The theme of this year’s contest is “Everybody Can---Be Included.” Students can describe in essay or PowerPoint format (grades 5-8) or poster (K-4) how they would include in their lives people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Kids likely have in their families, classes, or communities people with I/DD, such as autism, Down’s syndrome, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, etc. The aim of the contest is to encourage kids to explore how they can help others feel included and valued.

Prizes will be awarded in 3 categories: Grades K-4 class poster Grades 5-8 individual essay or Grades 5-8 PowerPoint projects. First, second, and third place winners of each category will be awarded $100, $75, or $50 respectively. Each entry will be recognized with a certificate.

 The first year winner of the contest was Erika Liddle’s South Kortright 6^th grade class which read the book 10 Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, by Ellen Notbohm. Liddle recommends that other teachers enter the contest.  “You need to do it: you have a chance to make a difference in how children see things, and this is a great opportunity to build compassion.”  She said her students made a connection to a former classmate by realizing why he had behaved certain ways.  They developed a new understanding of his behavior and formulated ways they could have better included him.

For more information about this contest or for entry forms contact The Arc of Delaware County, Community Relations Department, Barbara Thompson (607) 865-7126 or email B.thompson@delarc.org

Information and details can also be found on The Arc’s website: www.delarc.org