Walters Elementary highlights Unified Champion School work, sensory room and inclusive playground gift

Marcy Heidrick, principal of Walters Elementary School, and Walters staff described on April 14 how the building has expanded inclusive programming, added a sensory room and installed an accessible playground donated in memory of a former staff member.

The presentations focused on Walters' work to include students with disabilities in classroom and schoolwide activities and on concrete supports that the building added this year. School leaders said those changes contributed to Walters earning designation as a Unified Champion School.

"We became this year a Unified Champion School," said Leslie Booth, who teaches students with cognitive impairment at Walters. Booth described Walters' peer‑to‑peer and whole‑school inclusion activities, including a school assembly and a signed inclusion pledge. She said the school met three program qualifications for the Unified Champion designation: peer‑to‑peer mentorship, whole‑school engagement and inclusive sports activities. Booth said the school received a $1,500 grant as part of the designation and that Walters plans to continue activities and use funds for future inclusion work.

School staff gave details on special education enrollment and services. Lisa Lupini, teacher consultant for special education at Walters, said the building currently serves about 21 students in the resource room (with individualized minutes of support), six students in the early learning room (young‑5 through second grade), and 14 students in a cognitively impaired classroom using an adaptive curriculum. Lupini also described related services: many students receive occupational, physical and speech therapy; two students receive only physical therapy; one student receives vision services; and an additional set of students receive speech‑only support. She said Walters has 11 classroom aides assigned to provide one‑on‑one support where needed.

Teachers described inclusive activities and adaptive specials. Michelle Rupp said Walters runs Unified Bowling and inclusive field‑day events, holds a PBIS student council in fifth grade, and provides adaptive art, music and physical education for students in the cognitively impaired and early learning classrooms. Stacy Root, Walters' music teacher, said adaptive specials help establish routines so students can transition into mainstream classes with peer supports.

Staff also described the Red Hawk Relief Room, Walters' sensory and reset space. Jennifer McManus, a behavior specialist, said the room is available to any student who indicates they need a break; staff are trained by the district occupational therapist to supervise activities that include a trampoline with crash pad, cocoon and flat‑board swings, a squeeze/roller machine, a bubble machine, sensory wall boards and an egg chair. McManus said typical breaks are five minutes, sometimes 10, and students use timers to self‑regulate.

Walters unveiled an inclusive playground donated by the family of former tutor David Palmer. Principal Heidrick said the playground includes a ramp sized for wheelchairs, a two‑person accessible swing and chimes along the ramp to encourage exploration. The Palmer family attended the board meeting for a plaque presentation.

The building also highlighted March Is Reading Month activities that emphasized books about disability and inclusion. Leslie Parshall, school secretary, said Walters purchased 26 new books and combined them with 22 existing titles to create a 48‑book reading collection; the purchase included a $300 community service donation from a Kellogg volunteer and $316 in book purchases. Students completed reading logs and received small donated prizes.

First‑grader Mason Hansen spoke during the highlight and read part of Lucas the Lion Loves the Tiny Talker, connecting the story to his brother's communication device. "It is important we are included because it makes everybody feel good and happy," Mason said.

Board members and a parent speaker praised Walters staff for their inclusion work and for the sensory room and playground donations.