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York Elementary students stage 'Ability Day' activities to teach empathy and inclusion
Summary
York Elementary staff described 'Ability Day'—five hands-on stations (visual, speech, hearing, emotional, mobility) that teach students about different disabilities and coping strategies; students led demonstrations during the board meeting presentation.
At the March 17 board meeting staff from York Elementary described Ability Day, an in-school event designed to develop empathy and inclusion among students through five rotating stations covering visual, speech, hearing, emotional and mobility differences.
Principal Joe Komenowski introduced counselor Courtney Hamoud and librarian Mrs. Salisbury, who explained that each station combined an age-appropriate explanation of a disability, a hands-on activity and reflection. Stations included a blindfold puzzle (visual impairment), speech-sound activities, basic American Sign Language and noise-reduction exercises (hearing), coping strategies and frustration-tolerance activities (emotional) and a mobility obstacle course using a wheelchair and crutches.
Students who participated — named during the presentation — helped demonstrate the activities for the board. Presenters said Ability Day is now in its second year at York and credited parent volunteers and cross-building collaboration, noting prior success at the middle school as they adapt the event for elementary grades.
The board praised the program and recognized Riley Brewer, a third-grader, during 'Middlebury Moment' for improved emotional self-regulation and leadership.
