Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students present AAC ambassador program and lead donation drive for fire victims
Summary
Students from ****** Oak presented an AAC ambassador program to support a kindergarten peer with an AAC device and described a first-grade fundraiser at Bidwell Perk to benefit LA fire victims. School staff and the student emphasized access, modeling and training as keys to successful AAC use.
Principal Emily Mullins and Carrie Jamieson, the school’s speech-language pathologist, told the Chico Unified Board of Education on Jan. 15 that ****** Oak School has organized student-led AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) ambassadors to support a kindergarten student who uses an AAC device and to build staff and peer capacity around that technology.
Jamieson said the device was provided through the student’s individualized education program. She told trustees the district worried the student would not get sufficient training and daily access to the device in class, so teachers, aides and nominated student ambassadors now help with charging, programming and modeling use.
Student ambassadors described their roles on stage: Hendrick said he helps the student on Tuesdays during SEL, Kaylee said she prepares the device every morning, and Zoe and Hayden described modeling the system during lunchtime and other activities. Lincoln, the kindergarten student the program supports, introduced himself and said, “I use sign language, my device, and my voice. My mom says I am talking more. She is proud of me.”
Mullins also described a first-grade-run fundraiser: 22 first graders will staff Bidwell Perk for a morning to raise funds for LA fire victims, with a concurrent physical donation drive. Flyers and a letter with additional details will be provided to board members.
The presentation highlighted hands-on peer support, daily access to AAC systems and the district’s focus on inclusion and the student experience. Board members thanked staff and students for the program and community service.
