In a bright classroom, a group of Harris Middle School students clip and snip away. They are doing holiday arts and crafts for the season.
The day’s activity brings together Alternative Learning Environment students and Ambassadors from the 'Harris Involve’ program.
“On Fridays, we come to ALE and work with the special needs’ kids. It just really lights up their faces and it makes our day because it makes us feel like we made someone happy today,” Harris student Kylie Theel said.
The goal of the program is to help all students find a connection and a sense of belonging on campus.
“This class is kind of like a service class. So we do a lot of things around the school; we promote a lot of events going on like if there are sports or new fundraisers that we are doing,” Harris student Ayla Brand said.
Ambassadors hold food drives, make nursing home trips, visit elementary schools, and of course decorate around campus.
Ramon Gleason has been the ALE teacher at Harris for fourteen years.
“We like to use the Ambassadors and other peer assistant groups to help with decorations,” he said.
Gleason said he is appreciative to his Harris family.
“Harris Middle School is a very accepting campus, especially to our population. We try to give back as well; we do decorations we do shredding for the campus. For the Special Olympics Bowling, they gave us a really great send-off. It’s a two-way street for us; they help us and we help our community,” he said.
Mr. Gleason said his ALE students perk up when the Involve Ambassadors visit to interact, play card games, or do projects.
He said he wants people to remember that ALE kids are just like everybody else.
“They are just like all the other kids. They have some accommodations that need to be met but if we keep them to high standards and have expectations for them, they can grow as students,” he said.
The Involve Ambassadors hope to leave a positive impact on their new friends.
“I hope they realize that just because they are different than everybody else that they aren’t any less special,” 12-year-old Theel said.
Discover the NEISD way, where our educators bring students together through new ideas and collaboration.
Ashley Speller
aspell@neisd.net
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