Johnson Middle students, teachers showcase inclusion program to board

Johnson Middle School staff and students presented a special-education inclusion showcase to the Westminster School District board on March 19, demonstrating how flex (RTI/enrichment) time supports inclusion and peer relationships.

Principal Owens and teacher Miss Schubert explained that flex periods allow general-education and special-education students to learn and play together; Miss Schubert described a "Best Buddies" club, inclusive activities and classroom examples where peers supported one another. "In these moments, they may not even realize it, but they're learning much more than our curriculum could teach them. They're learning empathy," Miss Schubert said.

Three eighth-grade students spoke about their experiences. Salem Bell said flex time "is just everyday life" at Johnson and that visiting Miss Schubert's classroom makes him "happy" because "we are all just kids trying to have fun and be ourselves." Giovanni Acosta and Dustin Pham described learning patience, listening and how inclusion improved the way they see school and classmates.

Superintendent Hansen and board members praised the program. The presentation closed with a student performance and board members thanked teachers, staff and participating parents. Board members noted inclusion as a model for the district and highlighted awards and recognition given to teachers for similar programs at other schools.

Next steps: the board recognized inclusion as a district priority; no formal policy or funding votes were taken at the meeting based on the presentation.