PPCD Olympics brings students together
Hundreds of enthusiastic students, cheering parents and colorful game stations filled the SAISD Alamo Convocation Center last week for the 26th Annual Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) Olympics. The PPCD Olympics gives children enrolled in the PPCD program, as well as PreK through kinder classes that participate in at least half day inclusion with PPCD students, a chance to get together and work on their fine and large motor development in the form of individual and collaborative games.
“This is my first time I have come to one of these events," said Jackie Avalos, special education teacher. “It’s really neat. I love all the activities. You can tell the events are really geared toward sensory and motor skills for the kids. I love the fact that our students are getting exposure to activities outside of their normal surroundings.”
This year, there were almost 500 student participants in grades PreK through kinder; more than 250 student volunteers from Edison, Fox Tech, Highland and Burbank high schools; and 55 adult volunteers from the SAISD Special Education Department.
“I love the whole concept of so many different departments, community members, and people working together and donating their time to make this event a success,” said Theresa Harper, special education program specialist with the SAISD PPCD Program who helped organize the event. “The smiles that we see on the faces of these students once they feel successful and confident is worth all of the effort it takes to put it all together.”
Harper says that one of the main goals of the PPCD program and the Special Education Department is to include all students in all activities. The PPCD Olympics is one way, among others, how the SAISD PPCD program integrates students. The activities were selected according to what guidelines and TEKs the activity supports.
“Our PPCD students learn from their neurotypical peers and the neurotypical peers learn from our PPCD students,” she said. “And by including the high school students it provides them the opportunity to experience and learn about our littlest students with special needs and provides our littlest students with a ‘buddy’ who they look up to and can learn. It is just an amazing experience for all involved.”
Hank Willis, head football coach and athletic director at Highlands High School, brought more than 100 athletes from his campus to volunteer.
“Wins are good, we all want to win, but I want us to have good kids who grow up to be good men and good women,” he said. “Anytime we can all come together and help each other out, it’s a good thing, a blessing.”
