JUSD’s first Functional Skills Field Day included outdoor games and play that most students participate in every day. But for students in the district’s Functional Skills program, it was an extra special opportunity to feel included. It was a day all about them.
“The Functional Skills Field Day is a day to be around each other, have fun, and enjoy companionship,” said Director of Special Education Sylvia Bottom.
.jpg)
For the first time at Jurupa Unified, every Functional Skills class participated in outdoor adaptive physical education (PE) activities. Every student from preschool to the Adult Transition program, ages 18 - 21, laughed, danced, and played with their classmates at every station they visited.
“Students with disabilities often get left out or they sit on the sidelines, so it’s so important that you’re always finding a way for them to play too,” said Adaptive Physical Education Teacher Jordan Badders.
Students were fully immersed in the experience.
Elementary students smiled ear to ear as they ran from one end to the other under the colorful rainbow parachute held by Rubidoux High School Associated Student Body (ASB) students.
Some Patriot High Students donned warrior football jerseys and played a modified game of cornhole alongside Nutrition Services staff while others played a game of seated volleyball nearby.
.jpg)
The Functional Skills program supports students with special needs who need extra guidance. These students learn skills to be more independent as they grow up. Adaptive Physical Education is offered for students who are not able to participate in general education PE classes and need more support and modifications.
Adapted games with different ways to play allowed students with different abilities to engage in the same games. For example, obstacle courses that usually require students to run and jump over hurdles were modified with pool noodles that students jumped over, crawled, or went around.
“It’s so awesome to bring the equipment out here and let (students) perform any activities just like their classmates and just like any other typically developing peer,” School Physical Therapist Megan Borjan said. “They can do it in a safe manner, and they feel so engaged and feel a part of the group.”
Gait trainers, equipment that facilitates walking mobility, were available for students who use wheelchairs to allow them to play a modified standing dart game with their friends.
The fun included reunions between students and staff. Pedley Elementary School Functional Skills Teacher Dinah Palagi reunited with her students in the Adult Transition program, who were once her students.
“One of the highlights was our students seeing their old friends who have moved on to the adult program or the friends they had in middle school… seeing their former teachers and support staff and meeting their future teachers,” said Education Specialist Tina Watson. “They shared stories and memories… and (built) on the special bonds that they have with one another.”
Students also created new friendships with Rubidoux High’s ASB who were at every station leading the activities and games
“It makes me happy to be with them. It brought a lot of joy to us,” said Rubidoux ASB President Alberto Avila. “It was good for my ASB and their leadership skills, and it helped (us) grow as people.”
Nutrition Services also provided lunch for everyone and swag bags with water, squish balls, toys, and stickers for the youngest students.
“This is all a part of the Systems of Support that we do every day. We support students at so many different levels that no matter what the student’s needs are, we will help them and find the right type of program support for them,” said Ms. Bottom.
Ms. Bottom hopes this becomes an annual event for the Functional Skills program.
“This is just another opportunity for (students) to see that they are important too and that this is all for them,” said Ms. Badders. “At the end of the day, they are all children that just want to… have fun and play with their friends.”
