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Students who lobbied on Capitol Hill honored; district readies Inclusion Week and student talent show
Summary
Students from East Aurora’s Unified program described meetings with lawmakers and Special Olympics leaders in Washington, D.C., and the district announced an Inclusion Week culminating in a student‑run Unified talent show on March 13.
The East Aurora Unified club’s student delegates recounted a multi‑day advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., and district staff used the March 4 board meeting to recognize the trip and preview Inclusion Week activities.
Student delegates said they met with New York representatives and Special Olympics New York leaders to advocate for inclusion, unified sports and health programs. A student presenter said the Capitol Hill advocate events included “over 300 meeting meetings” and described athlete socials and meetings with lawmakers from multiple states.
District staff credited school leaders and many classroom aides for the program’s success. The presenter remarked, “Tara Arnold is a master teacher,” and noted the program’s growth across Parkdale and the high school, student leadership (co‑presidents Pam Jacob and Diego Barcenus), and collaborations with Special Olympics that funded the D.C. trip.
Organizers said Inclusion Week will spotlight a different disability each day, feature spirit days (students and families wear themed outfits) and conclude with a Unified talent show March 13 that includes acts from middle and high school. Teachers and aides will support students across buildings; adaptive physical education now operates across all three district buildings, staff said.
Why it matters: students served as state delegates in an organized advocacy effort, bringing local classroom accomplishments to lawmakers. Board members praised the program’s role in fostering inclusion and social skills districtwide.
Next steps: the district will host Inclusion Week activities and the March 13 talent show; staff encouraged community attendance and noted Special Olympics and classroom‑level partnerships that supported the effort.
