LM Oct.2017

Special Person’s Day in LeRoy something to smile about

Jeff Baughman, Principal LeRoy Junior/Senior High School

At the end of August every year, the community of LeRoy holds its annual Fall Festival. It is a great event for children and families; it includes amusement rides, games, flashing lights and sounds, big crowds, and fair food—all the things that make a small town celebration special. However, for some of our children, this environment is one that is not

Amusement, Inc. to provide children and families an expe- rience that many had previously never been able to enjoy. The First Annual Special Person’s Day—originally conceived by our LIFE lead teacher, Danielle Cooley—provided our children with special needs and their families the opportunity to experience all the festival has to offer without the limitations that so often make such events impossible for them. For two hours, families from LeRoy and neighboring

easily enjoyed. For one reason or another, the sensory aspect of this event does not allow either the child or the family to enjoy the experience. On August 24th, something awe- some happened for those children and their families. Our special education life skills program (LIFE) partnered with the LeRoy Fall Festival Committee and Swyear

Thank you feels inadequate, but all the laughter and smiles from kids who don’t normally get to enjoy the festival says more than I ever could. —a parent attending the event

communities had free run of rides, games and food without the lights, sounds and crowds that make these events a stressful experience for them. Things that are simple for many children—getting on and off

6