Last Screening Days in CMSD

When we were winding down the screening days, which were sometimes hectic and stressful, I realized how much I am going to miss the kindergartners and third graders. They looked up to us and were always excited to spend time with us. The screenings throughout the semester flowed smoothly for the most part. However, sometimes with the special education students it was a challenge to weigh them and take their height. Sometimes this would stress us out but those children were always so loving and playful. A special moment happened the last week of screenings. We were screening at an elementary school and waiting for the kindergartners to arrive in the gym. We had split the gym with the gym teacher and she was conducting a class with special education students on the other half of the gym. We asked her if she had any kindergartners in her class and she had two. One was in a wheel chair and was unable to participate in the study and the other student was being held by a teacher. She was very small and had autism. When we went over to ask the teacher if the girl was willing to participate in the study, the girl reached out for Ellie. She held on so tight to Ellie not wanting to let go. We decided it would be easiest to weigh her by having one of us stand on the scale and zero it, then pass the girl to the person standing on the scale. While I was holding her on the scale, she gave me the biggest hug and looked right into my eyes and smiled. It was one of the best experiences during the semester. She made my day and was able to participate fully in the study. I think a lot of times there is such a negative stigma about special education students, but many of them were so happy and able to follow directions and participate in the study. This semester was a great experience. I learned a lot about the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; it's buildings, students, teachers, struggles and triumphs. I will really miss working with the students next semester!!