Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Red Wing teachers and parents highlight STAR adaptive arts, music and PE program
Summary
Teachers and parents at a Red Wing Public Schools board meeting described the STAR program, an adaptive combined arts, music and physical-education initiative that staff say has increased inclusion and measurable student gains; parents and teachers praised progress in communication, motor and social skills.
At a school board meeting, teachers and parents presented the STAR adaptive program for students in Sunnyside’s specialized classroom, saying the mix of adapted art, music and physical education has helped students join general education activities and made measurable gains.
Peter Johnson, a physical-education specialist, said the district’s adaptive PE work has moved students from one-on-one instruction to whole-class participation. “It's really been fun to kinda see them go from that to working with Mitch Hodgson. So he brings a whole class with now, so we have success with the whole class,” Johnson said, describing progress in locomotor and object-control skills and increased attendance in regular PE.
Music teacher Amy Cabagneto said STAR music breaks down the regular music curriculum into focused, shorter sessions to work on coordination, large- and small-motor skills and rhythm instruments. “I try to get as many of those in their hands as possible, and we just have a fantastic time,” she said.
Art teacher Rachel Fritz said she uses adaptive tools and differentiated instruction so students can experiment with materials, texture and color in a low-limits environment. “I've brought in a lot of new adaptive tools for all the different abilities so I can be sure to modify and differentiate accordingly for each and every student,” Fritz said.
Teacher Haley Hodgson described routines and transition practices that prepare STAR students for the general-education classroom. “They get to learn the routines. They get to practice with these tools that they might not be able to in the gen ed classroom with all their peers,” Hodgson said, adding that she has seen “so much growth” in art, music and physical skills.
Parents attending the meeting credited those programs with advances at home. “Sunnyside was a total game changer for us,” parent Callie Egan said of her daughter, who came into kindergarten largely nonverbal and is now reading and writing. Parent Hailey Foster said identical twins Willow and Lila have shown “drastic change” in behavior and academics since joining Sunnyside.
Board members thanked staff and parents for the presentation and recognized student participation with certificates. The board noted the STAR classroom currently serves eight students and will grow to nine after Thanksgiving; board members expressed appreciation for the specialists’ partnership with general-education teachers as part of inclusion efforts.
The board did not take any formal action on the STAR program during the meeting; presenters were invited for recognition and the board acknowledged the program’s role in increasing student engagement.
