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Farmingtonville principal highlights life-skills program and unified 'Little Star' event
Summary
Farmingtonville Principal Beth Gusto presented the life-skills program to the Lake Pend Oreille School District board, reporting 42 students in the program, 13 paraprofessionals, and a unified-students event that pairs peer helpers with life‑skills students to play and learn together.
Beth Gusto, principal of Farmingtonville, told the board the school’s life-skills program enrolled a record 42 students this year and is supported by four dedicated teachers and 13 paraprofessionals. “Inclusion is more than a goal. It is who we are,” Gusto said, noting therapists on site work with students on communication, motor and adaptive skills that are integrated with functional academics and community‑based learning.
Gusto described the program’s unified event, which began as the Little Star Olympics and has expanded into a district community event. She credited physical therapist Erin McClure and PE teacher Rayna Longstreet for leading the program. Student peer helper Tilly Wasatch said she has been a peer helper for two years and explained the selection process: “You have to write why you want to be a peer helper and then have a teacher approve you,” she said. Gusto invited trustees and families to the event on May 28.
The presentation included a short student video and demonstrations of adaptive equipment. The board thanked the students and staff for the presentation and applauded the program’s community integration and hands-on supports.
