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Discovery Middle School students showcase Unified Club, urge more inclusion and electives
Summary
Students and staff from Discovery Middle School presented the Unified Club and a new Unified Advisors elective to the Alexandria Public School District board, describing inclusive activities, life‑skills learning and growing participation that school leaders say supports social‑emotional and career development.
Discovery Middle School students and staff presented the Unified Club and a new Unified Advisors elective to the Alexandria Public School District board on Nov. 18, spotlighting activities meant to include students with and without disabilities in classroom and school life.
Principal Troy Wunderlich and Unified Advisor Dani Anderson described the elective as a space where students "with and without disabilities come together to work and build friendships," and said the program now includes scheduled rotations into center‑based programs and adapted physical education. Student speakers recounted hands‑on experiences: Ella Scholl said the elective taught sign language and advocacy, adding, "to me, unified means to be inclusive to people with disabilities inside and outside of school." Harper Medway and other students described teamwork activities, assisting classmates and learning patience and communication.
The board asked operational questions about scale and scheduling. A student estimated participation as "a lot of kids, like, in the hundreds," and presenters said the club meets during home base and is splitting into smaller groups as membership grows. Administrators also described student leadership pathways connected to the program: the high school plans to add a Unified Music class next year, and staff noted unified PE already exists at the high school.
Board members praised the program's impact on empathy and career awareness. Dani Anderson said electives like Unified Advisors "foster empathy, understanding and inclusion in and outside of the classroom," and students said their involvement shaped interest in helping careers such as occupational or physical therapy. The board voiced support for continued growth and for sharing the program's story with the community.
The presentation was part of a longer meeting in which the board considered district reports, course changes and routine business. The board did not take separate vote action on the Unified Club presentation; it was presented for information and discussion.
