Middle School to High School

The move to a new home and new school brought many surprises. Steph settled in well and adapted to her new classroom and teacher. AS the days went by and she became more familiar with the surroundings she started to test the waters. Her teacher and the aides had read about her being an escape artist so they had been prepared. I can remember notes being sent home saying that Steph had a good day and only tried to escape once or twice. She decided that a certain aide in the classroom was her favorite and soon afterwards became the apple of her eye. They developed a relationship that lasted on through high school and into her families hearts.
The aide, who we know her as, MS. Diane, found the key to Steph's happiness. She got her involved with singing and dancing, putting on shows for the class along with doing her class work. Steph enjoyed going to school and being a part of this whole new world.
When middle school ended for the summer Ms. Diane stayed in contact with us and would take Steph for an afternoon or evening. She and her husband had two older daughters and a younger son. Steph would tag along to cheer leading activities or volleyball practice and even football practice. By the time summer ended and it was time for school to begin Steph was well known by most of the students. Her transition into high school was a snap. She became the girls volleyball manager and even worked with the cheer coach,who happened to be her teacher in high school. They even had fitted her for uniforms in both volleyball and cheer! If you ever want to experience pure joy, just look at a face of a child with special needs that is part of a team with regular students. When Steph received an award for being the volleyball manager at the awards diner their wasn't a dry eye in the bunch. Even the team was crying. I would just like to add that there has not been a school that could come close to what this school and it's staff have done for Steph. She could walk down the halls with her head held up and high five most every student that walked by. This was true inclusion as far as I am concerned.
Thank You Ms. Diane!