Inclusion in Action

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week 2016, North Penn School District schools display quilts made by students to showcase the importance and impact of inclusion… Read more

The District of Columbia Public Schools had a successful Inclusive Schools Week Celebration throughout the district! Check out some of their great celebration ideas! 1. Participate in the Inclusive School Mural Contest. A lesson plan was provided for all teachers. 2. Join the social media celebration using the hashtag #DCPSrocksInclusion, #DCPSIncludesAll and @YourSchool in order to… Read more

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme focuses on the concept of being a HERO. This is particularly fitting because a hero is a person noted for courageous acts of character and nobility.  We are proud to name … Dr. David P. Riley Founder of The Inclusive Schools Week and Network as our Hero for… Read more

We are so impressed with the Wall of Inclusion Miraloma Elementary in San Francisco created! Enjoy their Press Release below. December 6, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Visiting author Todd Parr and spontaneous art installations around the country inspire art project at this San Francisco elementary school. To mark Inclusive Schools Week this year, Miraloma Elementary… Read more

What a fun way to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! Belmont Ridge Middle School set up a photo booth and encouraged students and staff to pose in support of ISW!  … Read more

What a great idea to honor those who support inclusion year round! DSAF of Nebraska has a call out to their district for nominations of champions that will receive a certificate and gift. What an honor! Add this to your celebration ideas list for ISW 2017… Read more

The Mission of The Sparkle Effect The Sparkle Effect is working toward more inclusive schools nationwide by empowering students to create cheer and dance teams that include students with and without disabilities. The Result Students with and without disabilities gain acceptance and confidence, become passionate leaders, and help schools and broader communities understand and embrace… Read more

Austin Public Schools held a Poster Contest for their students and the winners were just amazing! Check them out in the article in the Austin Daily Herald. http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/01/inclusive-schools-week-poster-contest-announces-winners-students-celebrate-their-schools/… Read more

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Gheorhge Sincai high school participated in the project “Services for Socio-Educational Integration of Roma”, coordinated by the Foundation Desire for Social reflection and openness, founded by SEE. In the frame of this project, the high school participated in the activity “Index for Inclusion” developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, and published in Romanian… Read more

In Fairfax County Schools, Inclusive Schools Week highlights the accomplishments of families, schools, and communities who promote inclusive education for all children across the world. The Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from… Read more

Watch news video here (ABC 6 News) — Governor Mark Dayton declared December 7-11, 2016 “Inclusive Schools Week”, advocates and supporters of inclusive education believe that there are still students who are marginalized and do not have access to a supportive and quality education.”Inclusive Schools Week” is an annual celebration recognizing  the progress schools have… Read more

Multikids Inclusive Academy (MKA) is Ghana’s first inclusive international school, educating children in a co-existing learning environment. MKA combines creative, academic and vocational teaching and learning based on the UK National Curriculum, for students in nursery school up to 21 years old. They provide excellence through an enabling environment for all learners and promoting inclusion… Read more

KALW Local Public Radio 91.7FM in San Francisco hosted Deborah Peralta, co-chair of Inclusive Schools Week in San Francisco, to discuss upcoming events for this celebration in December. They discuss their plans for Inclusive Schools Week which has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly… Read more

When Dr. Frances Stetson heard the plans for the Future Project Team’s Bike-A-Thon presented at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles 2015, she was so impressed and had to help sponsor the event. The Bike-A-Thon was planned by these four gentlemen, the Dream Director and three male students from the inner city of… Read more

By Tina Calabro As fall turns to winter, high school football fields are suddenly without their determined athletes and rousing marching bands. The autumn rituals haven't changed much over the years, but in one important way they have. More students with disabilities are making their way in the mainstream of high school life, and many… Read more

What great photos from this outdoor International ISW celebration in San Miquel Allende! The children's artwork is phenomenal and so colorful… Read more

Enjoy this Animoto video featuring photos from Loundon County Public School's 2012 ISW Celebration.  LCPS 2012 ISW Celebration Animoto video Read more about their celebration plans: Loundon County ISW 2012 Plans… Read more

Alyssa Postman wrote from UNO Roberto Clemente Charter Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. "We celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by holding 2 professional development sessions for our staff on accommodating & modifying instruction as well as supporting learners with social-emotional needs. Teachers also presented the "Get Into It" lesson plans from Special Olympics in their classrooms. We… Read more

D.C. Public Schools is celebrating ISW in a BIG Way this year! Read more about their Celebration plans here! The Inclusive Programming Division will be hosting Inclusive Schools Week on December 1-4. Mark your calendars! We have four exciting events, one on each day after school, at schools around the District. Our aim is to celebrate all DCPS… Read more

This success story was shared on our facebook page! What a great way to have fun together and celebrate inclusion! In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, Farrington High School in Kalihi, HI went to bowling with their Friends Program. It was an awesome day filled with laughter and strikes galore. Have an awesome week everyone… Read more

Our question for today is how do we build effective parent-school partnerships in inclusive schools. There’s an enormous body of research and studies on the positive impact of parent partnerships and student success not just in school but throughout life. We cannot educate our children without reaching out to their parents. When schools and families… Read more

As part of a week-long celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Tacoma Public Schools hosted an Inclusive Gallery Exhibit and Resource Fair at Mount Tahoma High School. Student artists from all abilities and grade levels displayed work representing what inclusion means to them. It was truly an amazing event with 82 pieces of art representing inclusion. Over… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools Hosting Inclusive Schools Week Events by Staff Reports November 26, 2014 03:42 PM Atlanta Public Schools will join school districts and communities around the world in celebrating the 14th annual Inclusive Schools Week Monday through Dec. 5, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that… Read more

We were so excited to hear that Inclusive Schools Week 2014 was celebrated in Uganda! Center Director of the Tororo Christian Center Education Campus, Gabriel Odoi Owor, contacted us to share details of their ISW celebration. Their mission is “Making Schools Inclusive.”  Here are some pictures and highlights of their celebration… Read more

San Francisco Unified Schools held an impressive celebration for 2014 Inclusive Schools Week. Here are a few highlights below! Superintendent Richard Carranza speaks about inclusion from the podium.   L to R: Deborah Peralta, CAC member and parent at Sunset Elementary, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services,  and  stand in front of the… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the Michigan State Board of Education passed an ISW Resolution. Inclusive Schools are envisioned in the State Board's framework for policy development: Universal Education:Vision and Principles… Read more

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and its planning partners have coordinated a week-long series of city-wide events and trainings in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.  Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the great work our city is doing to ensure that inclusion… Read more

Students hope to raise $500 to donate to Jill's House in Vienna. In observance of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 2-6, the students and staff members at Vienna Elementary School will participate in a different activity each day designed to encourage inclusion for all students.  Vienna Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school. The school… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the PWCS Office of Special Education, invites schools to create a colorful and attractive banner or poster that focuses on stakeholders’ awareness of this event. An inclusive school is where there is a sense of belonging—all students are welcomed members of the school community. There is acceptance and understanding… Read more

Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives – 1201 17th St, NW Details: The Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee would like to extend a special invitation to its 2012 Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) Kick-Off Event. The event aims to highlight the District of Columbia’s work toward creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and engage participants in interactive activities… Read more

At Camelot Elementary, Mr. Cody Kemp and Mr. Paul Goodwin co-teach twenty four fifth grade students in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics. Co-teaching is a partnership between general and special educators who share the philosophy that they are responsible for all children. Co-teaching requires interweaving the skills of both educators to meet… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. Celebrated during the first week in December, ISW was created to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomics status, cultural… Read more

Take a look at the short "how to" video that that Malia Rappaport (one of I am Norm's fantastic youth leaders) put together to promote Inclusive Schools Week. Find more videos on the I Am Norm Facebook page.  … Read more

Submitted by: Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chari, Newton Sped PAC FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 7th. Book display highlighting differences of all kinds Principal's note focusing on inclusion in the next issue of the Franklin newsletter All classrooms to participate in a grade-appropriate "I feel included when" activity BURR ELEMENTARY Schoolwide Activities  Teacher communication—providing teachers… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools has many different activities planned for Inclusive Schools Week. The Board of Education has  proclaimed that the week of December 5th-9th will be Inclusive Schools Week.. On Monday, the Central Office Staff will be greeted at the door in the morning with pencils, stickers and gifts from the ISN Shop. They will also… Read more

The state of Minnesota has issued a proclamation identifying December 5th-9th as Inclusive Schools Week.  In support of this proclamation, a group of organizations have come together and are offering a free community event on December 6, 2011 with Dr. Patrick Schwarz at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Minnesota.  He will be speaking on- From… Read more

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County & Special Populations Group of meadow Creek PTA are offering a special screening of "Including Samuel" Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The screening will be held at the Meadow Creek Cafeteria in Bedford, Texas.  To learn more about the film and how this district is celebrating click… Read more

Submitted by Teresa Callahan, Assistant Principal of Magnolia Park Elementary School Highlights of Celebration Activities Ocean Springs School District on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has several exciting plans to celebrate Inclusive Education Week! For the big Kick-off, the Mayor is issuing an official proclamation for next week to be Inclusive Education week in our community, using… Read more

Submitted by Lairalaine M. White Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Plans In addition to centerwide activities, Teaching Teams at the Frazer Center will: Create a colorful display that tells an inclusive practice that is used whether it’s on a daily basis or something new. Be able to answer the question “What is Inclusion?” Be able to present… Read more

– Submitted by Deirdre Marshall Phillips, FIN Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Highlights of ISW in Miami-Dade County Public Schools First, Miami-Dade Schools has partnered with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Inclusion Network, VSA Arts of Florida, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida to showcase student performances from our… Read more

Submitted by Kathryn Simic, Director of Family and Community Services, Cooke Center for Learning and Development Highlights of Inclusive Schools Week On December 10th, 2009. Cooke Center for Learning and Development will be hosting the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Childrens Committee's Celebration of National Inclusive Schools Week. Sherri LaFond of the NYC Department of Education, District… Read more

Submitted by Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chair, Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education  High School Activities Newton South High School Advisory teachers showed a YouTube video clip of "Soeren Colombo Speech about his Sister" during the Tuesday, December 8th advisory block. The speech focuses on the use of the word "retard" and its effect on our… Read more

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week 2016, North Penn School District schools display quilts made by students to showcase the importance and impact of inclusion… Read more

The District of Columbia Public Schools had a successful Inclusive Schools Week Celebration throughout the district! Check out some of their great celebration ideas! 1. Participate in the Inclusive School Mural Contest. A lesson plan was provided for all teachers. 2. Join the social media celebration using the hashtag #DCPSrocksInclusion, #DCPSIncludesAll and @YourSchool in order to… Read more

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme focuses on the concept of being a HERO. This is particularly fitting because a hero is a person noted for courageous acts of character and nobility.  We are proud to name … Dr. David P. Riley Founder of The Inclusive Schools Week and Network as our Hero for… Read more

We are so impressed with the Wall of Inclusion Miraloma Elementary in San Francisco created! Enjoy their Press Release below. December 6, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Visiting author Todd Parr and spontaneous art installations around the country inspire art project at this San Francisco elementary school. To mark Inclusive Schools Week this year, Miraloma Elementary… Read more

What a fun way to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! Belmont Ridge Middle School set up a photo booth and encouraged students and staff to pose in support of ISW!  … Read more

What a great idea to honor those who support inclusion year round! DSAF of Nebraska has a call out to their district for nominations of champions that will receive a certificate and gift. What an honor! Add this to your celebration ideas list for ISW 2017… Read more

The Mission of The Sparkle Effect The Sparkle Effect is working toward more inclusive schools nationwide by empowering students to create cheer and dance teams that include students with and without disabilities. The Result Students with and without disabilities gain acceptance and confidence, become passionate leaders, and help schools and broader communities understand and embrace… Read more

Austin Public Schools held a Poster Contest for their students and the winners were just amazing! Check them out in the article in the Austin Daily Herald. http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/01/inclusive-schools-week-poster-contest-announces-winners-students-celebrate-their-schools/… Read more

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Gheorhge Sincai high school participated in the project “Services for Socio-Educational Integration of Roma”, coordinated by the Foundation Desire for Social reflection and openness, founded by SEE. In the frame of this project, the high school participated in the activity “Index for Inclusion” developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, and published in Romanian… Read more

In Fairfax County Schools, Inclusive Schools Week highlights the accomplishments of families, schools, and communities who promote inclusive education for all children across the world. The Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from… Read more

Watch news video here (ABC 6 News) — Governor Mark Dayton declared December 7-11, 2016 “Inclusive Schools Week”, advocates and supporters of inclusive education believe that there are still students who are marginalized and do not have access to a supportive and quality education.”Inclusive Schools Week” is an annual celebration recognizing  the progress schools have… Read more

Multikids Inclusive Academy (MKA) is Ghana’s first inclusive international school, educating children in a co-existing learning environment. MKA combines creative, academic and vocational teaching and learning based on the UK National Curriculum, for students in nursery school up to 21 years old. They provide excellence through an enabling environment for all learners and promoting inclusion… Read more

KALW Local Public Radio 91.7FM in San Francisco hosted Deborah Peralta, co-chair of Inclusive Schools Week in San Francisco, to discuss upcoming events for this celebration in December. They discuss their plans for Inclusive Schools Week which has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly… Read more

When Dr. Frances Stetson heard the plans for the Future Project Team’s Bike-A-Thon presented at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles 2015, she was so impressed and had to help sponsor the event. The Bike-A-Thon was planned by these four gentlemen, the Dream Director and three male students from the inner city of… Read more

By Tina Calabro As fall turns to winter, high school football fields are suddenly without their determined athletes and rousing marching bands. The autumn rituals haven't changed much over the years, but in one important way they have. More students with disabilities are making their way in the mainstream of high school life, and many… Read more

What great photos from this outdoor International ISW celebration in San Miquel Allende! The children's artwork is phenomenal and so colorful… Read more

Enjoy this Animoto video featuring photos from Loundon County Public School's 2012 ISW Celebration.  LCPS 2012 ISW Celebration Animoto video Read more about their celebration plans: Loundon County ISW 2012 Plans… Read more

Alyssa Postman wrote from UNO Roberto Clemente Charter Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. "We celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by holding 2 professional development sessions for our staff on accommodating & modifying instruction as well as supporting learners with social-emotional needs. Teachers also presented the "Get Into It" lesson plans from Special Olympics in their classrooms. We… Read more

D.C. Public Schools is celebrating ISW in a BIG Way this year! Read more about their Celebration plans here! The Inclusive Programming Division will be hosting Inclusive Schools Week on December 1-4. Mark your calendars! We have four exciting events, one on each day after school, at schools around the District. Our aim is to celebrate all DCPS… Read more

This success story was shared on our facebook page! What a great way to have fun together and celebrate inclusion! In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, Farrington High School in Kalihi, HI went to bowling with their Friends Program. It was an awesome day filled with laughter and strikes galore. Have an awesome week everyone… Read more

Our question for today is how do we build effective parent-school partnerships in inclusive schools. There’s an enormous body of research and studies on the positive impact of parent partnerships and student success not just in school but throughout life. We cannot educate our children without reaching out to their parents. When schools and families… Read more

As part of a week-long celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Tacoma Public Schools hosted an Inclusive Gallery Exhibit and Resource Fair at Mount Tahoma High School. Student artists from all abilities and grade levels displayed work representing what inclusion means to them. It was truly an amazing event with 82 pieces of art representing inclusion. Over… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools Hosting Inclusive Schools Week Events by Staff Reports November 26, 2014 03:42 PM Atlanta Public Schools will join school districts and communities around the world in celebrating the 14th annual Inclusive Schools Week Monday through Dec. 5, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that… Read more

We were so excited to hear that Inclusive Schools Week 2014 was celebrated in Uganda! Center Director of the Tororo Christian Center Education Campus, Gabriel Odoi Owor, contacted us to share details of their ISW celebration. Their mission is “Making Schools Inclusive.”  Here are some pictures and highlights of their celebration… Read more

San Francisco Unified Schools held an impressive celebration for 2014 Inclusive Schools Week. Here are a few highlights below! Superintendent Richard Carranza speaks about inclusion from the podium.   L to R: Deborah Peralta, CAC member and parent at Sunset Elementary, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services,  and  stand in front of the… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the Michigan State Board of Education passed an ISW Resolution. Inclusive Schools are envisioned in the State Board's framework for policy development: Universal Education:Vision and Principles… Read more

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and its planning partners have coordinated a week-long series of city-wide events and trainings in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.  Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the great work our city is doing to ensure that inclusion… Read more

Students hope to raise $500 to donate to Jill's House in Vienna. In observance of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 2-6, the students and staff members at Vienna Elementary School will participate in a different activity each day designed to encourage inclusion for all students.  Vienna Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school. The school… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the PWCS Office of Special Education, invites schools to create a colorful and attractive banner or poster that focuses on stakeholders’ awareness of this event. An inclusive school is where there is a sense of belonging—all students are welcomed members of the school community. There is acceptance and understanding… Read more

Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives – 1201 17th St, NW Details: The Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee would like to extend a special invitation to its 2012 Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) Kick-Off Event. The event aims to highlight the District of Columbia’s work toward creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and engage participants in interactive activities… Read more

At Camelot Elementary, Mr. Cody Kemp and Mr. Paul Goodwin co-teach twenty four fifth grade students in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics. Co-teaching is a partnership between general and special educators who share the philosophy that they are responsible for all children. Co-teaching requires interweaving the skills of both educators to meet… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. Celebrated during the first week in December, ISW was created to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomics status, cultural… Read more

Take a look at the short "how to" video that that Malia Rappaport (one of I am Norm's fantastic youth leaders) put together to promote Inclusive Schools Week. Find more videos on the I Am Norm Facebook page.  … Read more

Submitted by: Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chari, Newton Sped PAC FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 7th. Book display highlighting differences of all kinds Principal's note focusing on inclusion in the next issue of the Franklin newsletter All classrooms to participate in a grade-appropriate "I feel included when" activity BURR ELEMENTARY Schoolwide Activities  Teacher communication—providing teachers… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools has many different activities planned for Inclusive Schools Week. The Board of Education has  proclaimed that the week of December 5th-9th will be Inclusive Schools Week.. On Monday, the Central Office Staff will be greeted at the door in the morning with pencils, stickers and gifts from the ISN Shop. They will also… Read more

The state of Minnesota has issued a proclamation identifying December 5th-9th as Inclusive Schools Week.  In support of this proclamation, a group of organizations have come together and are offering a free community event on December 6, 2011 with Dr. Patrick Schwarz at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Minnesota.  He will be speaking on- From… Read more

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County & Special Populations Group of meadow Creek PTA are offering a special screening of "Including Samuel" Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The screening will be held at the Meadow Creek Cafeteria in Bedford, Texas.  To learn more about the film and how this district is celebrating click… Read more

Submitted by Teresa Callahan, Assistant Principal of Magnolia Park Elementary School Highlights of Celebration Activities Ocean Springs School District on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has several exciting plans to celebrate Inclusive Education Week! For the big Kick-off, the Mayor is issuing an official proclamation for next week to be Inclusive Education week in our community, using… Read more

Submitted by Lairalaine M. White Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Plans In addition to centerwide activities, Teaching Teams at the Frazer Center will: Create a colorful display that tells an inclusive practice that is used whether it’s on a daily basis or something new. Be able to answer the question “What is Inclusion?” Be able to present… Read more

– Submitted by Deirdre Marshall Phillips, FIN Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Highlights of ISW in Miami-Dade County Public Schools First, Miami-Dade Schools has partnered with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Inclusion Network, VSA Arts of Florida, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida to showcase student performances from our… Read more

Submitted by Kathryn Simic, Director of Family and Community Services, Cooke Center for Learning and Development Highlights of Inclusive Schools Week On December 10th, 2009. Cooke Center for Learning and Development will be hosting the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Childrens Committee's Celebration of National Inclusive Schools Week. Sherri LaFond of the NYC Department of Education, District… Read more

Submitted by Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chair, Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education  High School Activities Newton South High School Advisory teachers showed a YouTube video clip of "Soeren Colombo Speech about his Sister" during the Tuesday, December 8th advisory block. The speech focuses on the use of the word "retard" and its effect on our… Read more

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week 2016, North Penn School District schools display quilts made by students to showcase the importance and impact of inclusion… Read more

The District of Columbia Public Schools had a successful Inclusive Schools Week Celebration throughout the district! Check out some of their great celebration ideas! 1. Participate in the Inclusive School Mural Contest. A lesson plan was provided for all teachers. 2. Join the social media celebration using the hashtag #DCPSrocksInclusion, #DCPSIncludesAll and @YourSchool in order to… Read more

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme focuses on the concept of being a HERO. This is particularly fitting because a hero is a person noted for courageous acts of character and nobility.  We are proud to name … Dr. David P. Riley Founder of The Inclusive Schools Week and Network as our Hero for… Read more

We are so impressed with the Wall of Inclusion Miraloma Elementary in San Francisco created! Enjoy their Press Release below. December 6, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Visiting author Todd Parr and spontaneous art installations around the country inspire art project at this San Francisco elementary school. To mark Inclusive Schools Week this year, Miraloma Elementary… Read more

What a fun way to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! Belmont Ridge Middle School set up a photo booth and encouraged students and staff to pose in support of ISW!  … Read more

What a great idea to honor those who support inclusion year round! DSAF of Nebraska has a call out to their district for nominations of champions that will receive a certificate and gift. What an honor! Add this to your celebration ideas list for ISW 2017… Read more

The Mission of The Sparkle Effect The Sparkle Effect is working toward more inclusive schools nationwide by empowering students to create cheer and dance teams that include students with and without disabilities. The Result Students with and without disabilities gain acceptance and confidence, become passionate leaders, and help schools and broader communities understand and embrace… Read more

Austin Public Schools held a Poster Contest for their students and the winners were just amazing! Check them out in the article in the Austin Daily Herald. http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/01/inclusive-schools-week-poster-contest-announces-winners-students-celebrate-their-schools/… Read more

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Gheorhge Sincai high school participated in the project “Services for Socio-Educational Integration of Roma”, coordinated by the Foundation Desire for Social reflection and openness, founded by SEE. In the frame of this project, the high school participated in the activity “Index for Inclusion” developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, and published in Romanian… Read more

In Fairfax County Schools, Inclusive Schools Week highlights the accomplishments of families, schools, and communities who promote inclusive education for all children across the world. The Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from… Read more

Watch news video here (ABC 6 News) — Governor Mark Dayton declared December 7-11, 2016 “Inclusive Schools Week”, advocates and supporters of inclusive education believe that there are still students who are marginalized and do not have access to a supportive and quality education.”Inclusive Schools Week” is an annual celebration recognizing  the progress schools have… Read more

Multikids Inclusive Academy (MKA) is Ghana’s first inclusive international school, educating children in a co-existing learning environment. MKA combines creative, academic and vocational teaching and learning based on the UK National Curriculum, for students in nursery school up to 21 years old. They provide excellence through an enabling environment for all learners and promoting inclusion… Read more

KALW Local Public Radio 91.7FM in San Francisco hosted Deborah Peralta, co-chair of Inclusive Schools Week in San Francisco, to discuss upcoming events for this celebration in December. They discuss their plans for Inclusive Schools Week which has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly… Read more

When Dr. Frances Stetson heard the plans for the Future Project Team’s Bike-A-Thon presented at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles 2015, she was so impressed and had to help sponsor the event. The Bike-A-Thon was planned by these four gentlemen, the Dream Director and three male students from the inner city of… Read more

By Tina Calabro As fall turns to winter, high school football fields are suddenly without their determined athletes and rousing marching bands. The autumn rituals haven't changed much over the years, but in one important way they have. More students with disabilities are making their way in the mainstream of high school life, and many… Read more

What great photos from this outdoor International ISW celebration in San Miquel Allende! The children's artwork is phenomenal and so colorful… Read more

Enjoy this Animoto video featuring photos from Loundon County Public School's 2012 ISW Celebration.  LCPS 2012 ISW Celebration Animoto video Read more about their celebration plans: Loundon County ISW 2012 Plans… Read more

Alyssa Postman wrote from UNO Roberto Clemente Charter Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. "We celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by holding 2 professional development sessions for our staff on accommodating & modifying instruction as well as supporting learners with social-emotional needs. Teachers also presented the "Get Into It" lesson plans from Special Olympics in their classrooms. We… Read more

D.C. Public Schools is celebrating ISW in a BIG Way this year! Read more about their Celebration plans here! The Inclusive Programming Division will be hosting Inclusive Schools Week on December 1-4. Mark your calendars! We have four exciting events, one on each day after school, at schools around the District. Our aim is to celebrate all DCPS… Read more

This success story was shared on our facebook page! What a great way to have fun together and celebrate inclusion! In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, Farrington High School in Kalihi, HI went to bowling with their Friends Program. It was an awesome day filled with laughter and strikes galore. Have an awesome week everyone… Read more

Our question for today is how do we build effective parent-school partnerships in inclusive schools. There’s an enormous body of research and studies on the positive impact of parent partnerships and student success not just in school but throughout life. We cannot educate our children without reaching out to their parents. When schools and families… Read more

As part of a week-long celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Tacoma Public Schools hosted an Inclusive Gallery Exhibit and Resource Fair at Mount Tahoma High School. Student artists from all abilities and grade levels displayed work representing what inclusion means to them. It was truly an amazing event with 82 pieces of art representing inclusion. Over… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools Hosting Inclusive Schools Week Events by Staff Reports November 26, 2014 03:42 PM Atlanta Public Schools will join school districts and communities around the world in celebrating the 14th annual Inclusive Schools Week Monday through Dec. 5, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that… Read more

We were so excited to hear that Inclusive Schools Week 2014 was celebrated in Uganda! Center Director of the Tororo Christian Center Education Campus, Gabriel Odoi Owor, contacted us to share details of their ISW celebration. Their mission is “Making Schools Inclusive.”  Here are some pictures and highlights of their celebration… Read more

San Francisco Unified Schools held an impressive celebration for 2014 Inclusive Schools Week. Here are a few highlights below! Superintendent Richard Carranza speaks about inclusion from the podium.   L to R: Deborah Peralta, CAC member and parent at Sunset Elementary, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services,  and  stand in front of the… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the Michigan State Board of Education passed an ISW Resolution. Inclusive Schools are envisioned in the State Board's framework for policy development: Universal Education:Vision and Principles… Read more

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and its planning partners have coordinated a week-long series of city-wide events and trainings in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.  Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the great work our city is doing to ensure that inclusion… Read more

Students hope to raise $500 to donate to Jill's House in Vienna. In observance of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 2-6, the students and staff members at Vienna Elementary School will participate in a different activity each day designed to encourage inclusion for all students.  Vienna Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school. The school… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the PWCS Office of Special Education, invites schools to create a colorful and attractive banner or poster that focuses on stakeholders’ awareness of this event. An inclusive school is where there is a sense of belonging—all students are welcomed members of the school community. There is acceptance and understanding… Read more

Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives – 1201 17th St, NW Details: The Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee would like to extend a special invitation to its 2012 Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) Kick-Off Event. The event aims to highlight the District of Columbia’s work toward creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and engage participants in interactive activities… Read more

At Camelot Elementary, Mr. Cody Kemp and Mr. Paul Goodwin co-teach twenty four fifth grade students in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics. Co-teaching is a partnership between general and special educators who share the philosophy that they are responsible for all children. Co-teaching requires interweaving the skills of both educators to meet… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. Celebrated during the first week in December, ISW was created to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomics status, cultural… Read more

Take a look at the short "how to" video that that Malia Rappaport (one of I am Norm's fantastic youth leaders) put together to promote Inclusive Schools Week. Find more videos on the I Am Norm Facebook page.  … Read more

Submitted by: Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chari, Newton Sped PAC FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 7th. Book display highlighting differences of all kinds Principal's note focusing on inclusion in the next issue of the Franklin newsletter All classrooms to participate in a grade-appropriate "I feel included when" activity BURR ELEMENTARY Schoolwide Activities  Teacher communication—providing teachers… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools has many different activities planned for Inclusive Schools Week. The Board of Education has  proclaimed that the week of December 5th-9th will be Inclusive Schools Week.. On Monday, the Central Office Staff will be greeted at the door in the morning with pencils, stickers and gifts from the ISN Shop. They will also… Read more

The state of Minnesota has issued a proclamation identifying December 5th-9th as Inclusive Schools Week.  In support of this proclamation, a group of organizations have come together and are offering a free community event on December 6, 2011 with Dr. Patrick Schwarz at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Minnesota.  He will be speaking on- From… Read more

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County & Special Populations Group of meadow Creek PTA are offering a special screening of "Including Samuel" Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The screening will be held at the Meadow Creek Cafeteria in Bedford, Texas.  To learn more about the film and how this district is celebrating click… Read more

Submitted by Teresa Callahan, Assistant Principal of Magnolia Park Elementary School Highlights of Celebration Activities Ocean Springs School District on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has several exciting plans to celebrate Inclusive Education Week! For the big Kick-off, the Mayor is issuing an official proclamation for next week to be Inclusive Education week in our community, using… Read more

Submitted by Lairalaine M. White Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Plans In addition to centerwide activities, Teaching Teams at the Frazer Center will: Create a colorful display that tells an inclusive practice that is used whether it’s on a daily basis or something new. Be able to answer the question “What is Inclusion?” Be able to present… Read more

– Submitted by Deirdre Marshall Phillips, FIN Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Highlights of ISW in Miami-Dade County Public Schools First, Miami-Dade Schools has partnered with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Inclusion Network, VSA Arts of Florida, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida to showcase student performances from our… Read more

Submitted by Kathryn Simic, Director of Family and Community Services, Cooke Center for Learning and Development Highlights of Inclusive Schools Week On December 10th, 2009. Cooke Center for Learning and Development will be hosting the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Childrens Committee's Celebration of National Inclusive Schools Week. Sherri LaFond of the NYC Department of Education, District… Read more

Submitted by Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chair, Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education  High School Activities Newton South High School Advisory teachers showed a YouTube video clip of "Soeren Colombo Speech about his Sister" during the Tuesday, December 8th advisory block. The speech focuses on the use of the word "retard" and its effect on our… Read more

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week 2016, North Penn School District schools display quilts made by students to showcase the importance and impact of inclusion… Read more

The District of Columbia Public Schools had a successful Inclusive Schools Week Celebration throughout the district! Check out some of their great celebration ideas! 1. Participate in the Inclusive School Mural Contest. A lesson plan was provided for all teachers. 2. Join the social media celebration using the hashtag #DCPSrocksInclusion, #DCPSIncludesAll and @YourSchool in order to… Read more

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme focuses on the concept of being a HERO. This is particularly fitting because a hero is a person noted for courageous acts of character and nobility.  We are proud to name … Dr. David P. Riley Founder of The Inclusive Schools Week and Network as our Hero for… Read more

We are so impressed with the Wall of Inclusion Miraloma Elementary in San Francisco created! Enjoy their Press Release below. December 6, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Visiting author Todd Parr and spontaneous art installations around the country inspire art project at this San Francisco elementary school. To mark Inclusive Schools Week this year, Miraloma Elementary… Read more

What a fun way to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! Belmont Ridge Middle School set up a photo booth and encouraged students and staff to pose in support of ISW!  … Read more

What a great idea to honor those who support inclusion year round! DSAF of Nebraska has a call out to their district for nominations of champions that will receive a certificate and gift. What an honor! Add this to your celebration ideas list for ISW 2017… Read more

The Mission of The Sparkle Effect The Sparkle Effect is working toward more inclusive schools nationwide by empowering students to create cheer and dance teams that include students with and without disabilities. The Result Students with and without disabilities gain acceptance and confidence, become passionate leaders, and help schools and broader communities understand and embrace… Read more

Austin Public Schools held a Poster Contest for their students and the winners were just amazing! Check them out in the article in the Austin Daily Herald. http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/01/inclusive-schools-week-poster-contest-announces-winners-students-celebrate-their-schools/… Read more

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Gheorhge Sincai high school participated in the project “Services for Socio-Educational Integration of Roma”, coordinated by the Foundation Desire for Social reflection and openness, founded by SEE. In the frame of this project, the high school participated in the activity “Index for Inclusion” developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, and published in Romanian… Read more

In Fairfax County Schools, Inclusive Schools Week highlights the accomplishments of families, schools, and communities who promote inclusive education for all children across the world. The Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from… Read more

Watch news video here (ABC 6 News) — Governor Mark Dayton declared December 7-11, 2016 “Inclusive Schools Week”, advocates and supporters of inclusive education believe that there are still students who are marginalized and do not have access to a supportive and quality education.”Inclusive Schools Week” is an annual celebration recognizing  the progress schools have… Read more

Multikids Inclusive Academy (MKA) is Ghana’s first inclusive international school, educating children in a co-existing learning environment. MKA combines creative, academic and vocational teaching and learning based on the UK National Curriculum, for students in nursery school up to 21 years old. They provide excellence through an enabling environment for all learners and promoting inclusion… Read more

KALW Local Public Radio 91.7FM in San Francisco hosted Deborah Peralta, co-chair of Inclusive Schools Week in San Francisco, to discuss upcoming events for this celebration in December. They discuss their plans for Inclusive Schools Week which has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly… Read more

When Dr. Frances Stetson heard the plans for the Future Project Team’s Bike-A-Thon presented at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles 2015, she was so impressed and had to help sponsor the event. The Bike-A-Thon was planned by these four gentlemen, the Dream Director and three male students from the inner city of… Read more

By Tina Calabro As fall turns to winter, high school football fields are suddenly without their determined athletes and rousing marching bands. The autumn rituals haven't changed much over the years, but in one important way they have. More students with disabilities are making their way in the mainstream of high school life, and many… Read more

What great photos from this outdoor International ISW celebration in San Miquel Allende! The children's artwork is phenomenal and so colorful… Read more

Enjoy this Animoto video featuring photos from Loundon County Public School's 2012 ISW Celebration.  LCPS 2012 ISW Celebration Animoto video Read more about their celebration plans: Loundon County ISW 2012 Plans… Read more

Alyssa Postman wrote from UNO Roberto Clemente Charter Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. "We celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by holding 2 professional development sessions for our staff on accommodating & modifying instruction as well as supporting learners with social-emotional needs. Teachers also presented the "Get Into It" lesson plans from Special Olympics in their classrooms. We… Read more

D.C. Public Schools is celebrating ISW in a BIG Way this year! Read more about their Celebration plans here! The Inclusive Programming Division will be hosting Inclusive Schools Week on December 1-4. Mark your calendars! We have four exciting events, one on each day after school, at schools around the District. Our aim is to celebrate all DCPS… Read more

This success story was shared on our facebook page! What a great way to have fun together and celebrate inclusion! In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, Farrington High School in Kalihi, HI went to bowling with their Friends Program. It was an awesome day filled with laughter and strikes galore. Have an awesome week everyone… Read more

Our question for today is how do we build effective parent-school partnerships in inclusive schools. There’s an enormous body of research and studies on the positive impact of parent partnerships and student success not just in school but throughout life. We cannot educate our children without reaching out to their parents. When schools and families… Read more

As part of a week-long celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Tacoma Public Schools hosted an Inclusive Gallery Exhibit and Resource Fair at Mount Tahoma High School. Student artists from all abilities and grade levels displayed work representing what inclusion means to them. It was truly an amazing event with 82 pieces of art representing inclusion. Over… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools Hosting Inclusive Schools Week Events by Staff Reports November 26, 2014 03:42 PM Atlanta Public Schools will join school districts and communities around the world in celebrating the 14th annual Inclusive Schools Week Monday through Dec. 5, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that… Read more

We were so excited to hear that Inclusive Schools Week 2014 was celebrated in Uganda! Center Director of the Tororo Christian Center Education Campus, Gabriel Odoi Owor, contacted us to share details of their ISW celebration. Their mission is “Making Schools Inclusive.”  Here are some pictures and highlights of their celebration… Read more

San Francisco Unified Schools held an impressive celebration for 2014 Inclusive Schools Week. Here are a few highlights below! Superintendent Richard Carranza speaks about inclusion from the podium.   L to R: Deborah Peralta, CAC member and parent at Sunset Elementary, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services,  and  stand in front of the… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the Michigan State Board of Education passed an ISW Resolution. Inclusive Schools are envisioned in the State Board's framework for policy development: Universal Education:Vision and Principles… Read more

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and its planning partners have coordinated a week-long series of city-wide events and trainings in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.  Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the great work our city is doing to ensure that inclusion… Read more

Students hope to raise $500 to donate to Jill's House in Vienna. In observance of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 2-6, the students and staff members at Vienna Elementary School will participate in a different activity each day designed to encourage inclusion for all students.  Vienna Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school. The school… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the PWCS Office of Special Education, invites schools to create a colorful and attractive banner or poster that focuses on stakeholders’ awareness of this event. An inclusive school is where there is a sense of belonging—all students are welcomed members of the school community. There is acceptance and understanding… Read more

Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives – 1201 17th St, NW Details: The Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee would like to extend a special invitation to its 2012 Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) Kick-Off Event. The event aims to highlight the District of Columbia’s work toward creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and engage participants in interactive activities… Read more

At Camelot Elementary, Mr. Cody Kemp and Mr. Paul Goodwin co-teach twenty four fifth grade students in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics. Co-teaching is a partnership between general and special educators who share the philosophy that they are responsible for all children. Co-teaching requires interweaving the skills of both educators to meet… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. Celebrated during the first week in December, ISW was created to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomics status, cultural… Read more

Take a look at the short "how to" video that that Malia Rappaport (one of I am Norm's fantastic youth leaders) put together to promote Inclusive Schools Week. Find more videos on the I Am Norm Facebook page.  … Read more

Submitted by: Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chari, Newton Sped PAC FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 7th. Book display highlighting differences of all kinds Principal's note focusing on inclusion in the next issue of the Franklin newsletter All classrooms to participate in a grade-appropriate "I feel included when" activity BURR ELEMENTARY Schoolwide Activities  Teacher communication—providing teachers… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools has many different activities planned for Inclusive Schools Week. The Board of Education has  proclaimed that the week of December 5th-9th will be Inclusive Schools Week.. On Monday, the Central Office Staff will be greeted at the door in the morning with pencils, stickers and gifts from the ISN Shop. They will also… Read more

The state of Minnesota has issued a proclamation identifying December 5th-9th as Inclusive Schools Week.  In support of this proclamation, a group of organizations have come together and are offering a free community event on December 6, 2011 with Dr. Patrick Schwarz at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Minnesota.  He will be speaking on- From… Read more

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County & Special Populations Group of meadow Creek PTA are offering a special screening of "Including Samuel" Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The screening will be held at the Meadow Creek Cafeteria in Bedford, Texas.  To learn more about the film and how this district is celebrating click… Read more

Submitted by Teresa Callahan, Assistant Principal of Magnolia Park Elementary School Highlights of Celebration Activities Ocean Springs School District on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has several exciting plans to celebrate Inclusive Education Week! For the big Kick-off, the Mayor is issuing an official proclamation for next week to be Inclusive Education week in our community, using… Read more

Submitted by Lairalaine M. White Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Plans In addition to centerwide activities, Teaching Teams at the Frazer Center will: Create a colorful display that tells an inclusive practice that is used whether it’s on a daily basis or something new. Be able to answer the question “What is Inclusion?” Be able to present… Read more

– Submitted by Deirdre Marshall Phillips, FIN Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Highlights of ISW in Miami-Dade County Public Schools First, Miami-Dade Schools has partnered with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Inclusion Network, VSA Arts of Florida, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida to showcase student performances from our… Read more

Submitted by Kathryn Simic, Director of Family and Community Services, Cooke Center for Learning and Development Highlights of Inclusive Schools Week On December 10th, 2009. Cooke Center for Learning and Development will be hosting the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Childrens Committee's Celebration of National Inclusive Schools Week. Sherri LaFond of the NYC Department of Education, District… Read more

Submitted by Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chair, Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education  High School Activities Newton South High School Advisory teachers showed a YouTube video clip of "Soeren Colombo Speech about his Sister" during the Tuesday, December 8th advisory block. The speech focuses on the use of the word "retard" and its effect on our… Read more

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week 2016, North Penn School District schools display quilts made by students to showcase the importance and impact of inclusion… Read more

The District of Columbia Public Schools had a successful Inclusive Schools Week Celebration throughout the district! Check out some of their great celebration ideas! 1. Participate in the Inclusive School Mural Contest. A lesson plan was provided for all teachers. 2. Join the social media celebration using the hashtag #DCPSrocksInclusion, #DCPSIncludesAll and @YourSchool in order to… Read more

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme focuses on the concept of being a HERO. This is particularly fitting because a hero is a person noted for courageous acts of character and nobility.  We are proud to name … Dr. David P. Riley Founder of The Inclusive Schools Week and Network as our Hero for… Read more

We are so impressed with the Wall of Inclusion Miraloma Elementary in San Francisco created! Enjoy their Press Release below. December 6, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Visiting author Todd Parr and spontaneous art installations around the country inspire art project at this San Francisco elementary school. To mark Inclusive Schools Week this year, Miraloma Elementary… Read more

What a fun way to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! Belmont Ridge Middle School set up a photo booth and encouraged students and staff to pose in support of ISW!  … Read more

What a great idea to honor those who support inclusion year round! DSAF of Nebraska has a call out to their district for nominations of champions that will receive a certificate and gift. What an honor! Add this to your celebration ideas list for ISW 2017… Read more

The Mission of The Sparkle Effect The Sparkle Effect is working toward more inclusive schools nationwide by empowering students to create cheer and dance teams that include students with and without disabilities. The Result Students with and without disabilities gain acceptance and confidence, become passionate leaders, and help schools and broader communities understand and embrace… Read more

Austin Public Schools held a Poster Contest for their students and the winners were just amazing! Check them out in the article in the Austin Daily Herald. http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/01/inclusive-schools-week-poster-contest-announces-winners-students-celebrate-their-schools/… Read more

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Gheorhge Sincai high school participated in the project “Services for Socio-Educational Integration of Roma”, coordinated by the Foundation Desire for Social reflection and openness, founded by SEE. In the frame of this project, the high school participated in the activity “Index for Inclusion” developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, and published in Romanian… Read more

In Fairfax County Schools, Inclusive Schools Week highlights the accomplishments of families, schools, and communities who promote inclusive education for all children across the world. The Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from… Read more

Watch news video here (ABC 6 News) — Governor Mark Dayton declared December 7-11, 2016 “Inclusive Schools Week”, advocates and supporters of inclusive education believe that there are still students who are marginalized and do not have access to a supportive and quality education.”Inclusive Schools Week” is an annual celebration recognizing  the progress schools have… Read more

Multikids Inclusive Academy (MKA) is Ghana’s first inclusive international school, educating children in a co-existing learning environment. MKA combines creative, academic and vocational teaching and learning based on the UK National Curriculum, for students in nursery school up to 21 years old. They provide excellence through an enabling environment for all learners and promoting inclusion… Read more

KALW Local Public Radio 91.7FM in San Francisco hosted Deborah Peralta, co-chair of Inclusive Schools Week in San Francisco, to discuss upcoming events for this celebration in December. They discuss their plans for Inclusive Schools Week which has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly… Read more

When Dr. Frances Stetson heard the plans for the Future Project Team’s Bike-A-Thon presented at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles 2015, she was so impressed and had to help sponsor the event. The Bike-A-Thon was planned by these four gentlemen, the Dream Director and three male students from the inner city of… Read more

By Tina Calabro As fall turns to winter, high school football fields are suddenly without their determined athletes and rousing marching bands. The autumn rituals haven't changed much over the years, but in one important way they have. More students with disabilities are making their way in the mainstream of high school life, and many… Read more

What great photos from this outdoor International ISW celebration in San Miquel Allende! The children's artwork is phenomenal and so colorful… Read more

Enjoy this Animoto video featuring photos from Loundon County Public School's 2012 ISW Celebration.  LCPS 2012 ISW Celebration Animoto video Read more about their celebration plans: Loundon County ISW 2012 Plans… Read more

Alyssa Postman wrote from UNO Roberto Clemente Charter Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. "We celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by holding 2 professional development sessions for our staff on accommodating & modifying instruction as well as supporting learners with social-emotional needs. Teachers also presented the "Get Into It" lesson plans from Special Olympics in their classrooms. We… Read more

D.C. Public Schools is celebrating ISW in a BIG Way this year! Read more about their Celebration plans here! The Inclusive Programming Division will be hosting Inclusive Schools Week on December 1-4. Mark your calendars! We have four exciting events, one on each day after school, at schools around the District. Our aim is to celebrate all DCPS… Read more

This success story was shared on our facebook page! What a great way to have fun together and celebrate inclusion! In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, Farrington High School in Kalihi, HI went to bowling with their Friends Program. It was an awesome day filled with laughter and strikes galore. Have an awesome week everyone… Read more

Our question for today is how do we build effective parent-school partnerships in inclusive schools. There’s an enormous body of research and studies on the positive impact of parent partnerships and student success not just in school but throughout life. We cannot educate our children without reaching out to their parents. When schools and families… Read more

As part of a week-long celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Tacoma Public Schools hosted an Inclusive Gallery Exhibit and Resource Fair at Mount Tahoma High School. Student artists from all abilities and grade levels displayed work representing what inclusion means to them. It was truly an amazing event with 82 pieces of art representing inclusion. Over… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools Hosting Inclusive Schools Week Events by Staff Reports November 26, 2014 03:42 PM Atlanta Public Schools will join school districts and communities around the world in celebrating the 14th annual Inclusive Schools Week Monday through Dec. 5, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that… Read more

We were so excited to hear that Inclusive Schools Week 2014 was celebrated in Uganda! Center Director of the Tororo Christian Center Education Campus, Gabriel Odoi Owor, contacted us to share details of their ISW celebration. Their mission is “Making Schools Inclusive.”  Here are some pictures and highlights of their celebration… Read more

San Francisco Unified Schools held an impressive celebration for 2014 Inclusive Schools Week. Here are a few highlights below! Superintendent Richard Carranza speaks about inclusion from the podium.   L to R: Deborah Peralta, CAC member and parent at Sunset Elementary, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services,  and  stand in front of the… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the Michigan State Board of Education passed an ISW Resolution. Inclusive Schools are envisioned in the State Board's framework for policy development: Universal Education:Vision and Principles… Read more

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and its planning partners have coordinated a week-long series of city-wide events and trainings in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.  Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the great work our city is doing to ensure that inclusion… Read more

Students hope to raise $500 to donate to Jill's House in Vienna. In observance of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 2-6, the students and staff members at Vienna Elementary School will participate in a different activity each day designed to encourage inclusion for all students.  Vienna Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school. The school… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the PWCS Office of Special Education, invites schools to create a colorful and attractive banner or poster that focuses on stakeholders’ awareness of this event. An inclusive school is where there is a sense of belonging—all students are welcomed members of the school community. There is acceptance and understanding… Read more

Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives – 1201 17th St, NW Details: The Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee would like to extend a special invitation to its 2012 Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) Kick-Off Event. The event aims to highlight the District of Columbia’s work toward creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and engage participants in interactive activities… Read more

At Camelot Elementary, Mr. Cody Kemp and Mr. Paul Goodwin co-teach twenty four fifth grade students in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics. Co-teaching is a partnership between general and special educators who share the philosophy that they are responsible for all children. Co-teaching requires interweaving the skills of both educators to meet… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. Celebrated during the first week in December, ISW was created to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomics status, cultural… Read more

Take a look at the short "how to" video that that Malia Rappaport (one of I am Norm's fantastic youth leaders) put together to promote Inclusive Schools Week. Find more videos on the I Am Norm Facebook page.  … Read more

Submitted by: Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chari, Newton Sped PAC FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 7th. Book display highlighting differences of all kinds Principal's note focusing on inclusion in the next issue of the Franklin newsletter All classrooms to participate in a grade-appropriate "I feel included when" activity BURR ELEMENTARY Schoolwide Activities  Teacher communication—providing teachers… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools has many different activities planned for Inclusive Schools Week. The Board of Education has  proclaimed that the week of December 5th-9th will be Inclusive Schools Week.. On Monday, the Central Office Staff will be greeted at the door in the morning with pencils, stickers and gifts from the ISN Shop. They will also… Read more

The state of Minnesota has issued a proclamation identifying December 5th-9th as Inclusive Schools Week.  In support of this proclamation, a group of organizations have come together and are offering a free community event on December 6, 2011 with Dr. Patrick Schwarz at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Minnesota.  He will be speaking on- From… Read more

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County & Special Populations Group of meadow Creek PTA are offering a special screening of "Including Samuel" Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The screening will be held at the Meadow Creek Cafeteria in Bedford, Texas.  To learn more about the film and how this district is celebrating click… Read more

Submitted by Teresa Callahan, Assistant Principal of Magnolia Park Elementary School Highlights of Celebration Activities Ocean Springs School District on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has several exciting plans to celebrate Inclusive Education Week! For the big Kick-off, the Mayor is issuing an official proclamation for next week to be Inclusive Education week in our community, using… Read more

Submitted by Lairalaine M. White Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Plans In addition to centerwide activities, Teaching Teams at the Frazer Center will: Create a colorful display that tells an inclusive practice that is used whether it’s on a daily basis or something new. Be able to answer the question “What is Inclusion?” Be able to present… Read more

– Submitted by Deirdre Marshall Phillips, FIN Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Highlights of ISW in Miami-Dade County Public Schools First, Miami-Dade Schools has partnered with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Inclusion Network, VSA Arts of Florida, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida to showcase student performances from our… Read more

Submitted by Kathryn Simic, Director of Family and Community Services, Cooke Center for Learning and Development Highlights of Inclusive Schools Week On December 10th, 2009. Cooke Center for Learning and Development will be hosting the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Childrens Committee's Celebration of National Inclusive Schools Week. Sherri LaFond of the NYC Department of Education, District… Read more

Submitted by Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chair, Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education  High School Activities Newton South High School Advisory teachers showed a YouTube video clip of "Soeren Colombo Speech about his Sister" during the Tuesday, December 8th advisory block. The speech focuses on the use of the word "retard" and its effect on our… Read more

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more

In honor of Inclusive Schools Week 2016, North Penn School District schools display quilts made by students to showcase the importance and impact of inclusion… Read more

The District of Columbia Public Schools had a successful Inclusive Schools Week Celebration throughout the district! Check out some of their great celebration ideas! 1. Participate in the Inclusive School Mural Contest. A lesson plan was provided for all teachers. 2. Join the social media celebration using the hashtag #DCPSrocksInclusion, #DCPSIncludesAll and @YourSchool in order to… Read more

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week theme focuses on the concept of being a HERO. This is particularly fitting because a hero is a person noted for courageous acts of character and nobility.  We are proud to name … Dr. David P. Riley Founder of The Inclusive Schools Week and Network as our Hero for… Read more

We are so impressed with the Wall of Inclusion Miraloma Elementary in San Francisco created! Enjoy their Press Release below. December 6, 2016 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Visiting author Todd Parr and spontaneous art installations around the country inspire art project at this San Francisco elementary school. To mark Inclusive Schools Week this year, Miraloma Elementary… Read more

What a fun way to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! Belmont Ridge Middle School set up a photo booth and encouraged students and staff to pose in support of ISW!  … Read more

What a great idea to honor those who support inclusion year round! DSAF of Nebraska has a call out to their district for nominations of champions that will receive a certificate and gift. What an honor! Add this to your celebration ideas list for ISW 2017… Read more

The Mission of The Sparkle Effect The Sparkle Effect is working toward more inclusive schools nationwide by empowering students to create cheer and dance teams that include students with and without disabilities. The Result Students with and without disabilities gain acceptance and confidence, become passionate leaders, and help schools and broader communities understand and embrace… Read more

Austin Public Schools held a Poster Contest for their students and the winners were just amazing! Check them out in the article in the Austin Daily Herald. http://www.austindailyherald.com/2016/01/inclusive-schools-week-poster-contest-announces-winners-students-celebrate-their-schools/… Read more

In Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Gheorhge Sincai high school participated in the project “Services for Socio-Educational Integration of Roma”, coordinated by the Foundation Desire for Social reflection and openness, founded by SEE. In the frame of this project, the high school participated in the activity “Index for Inclusion” developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, and published in Romanian… Read more

In Fairfax County Schools, Inclusive Schools Week highlights the accomplishments of families, schools, and communities who promote inclusive education for all children across the world. The Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population, including students with disabilities, those from… Read more

Watch news video here (ABC 6 News) — Governor Mark Dayton declared December 7-11, 2016 “Inclusive Schools Week”, advocates and supporters of inclusive education believe that there are still students who are marginalized and do not have access to a supportive and quality education.”Inclusive Schools Week” is an annual celebration recognizing  the progress schools have… Read more

Multikids Inclusive Academy (MKA) is Ghana’s first inclusive international school, educating children in a co-existing learning environment. MKA combines creative, academic and vocational teaching and learning based on the UK National Curriculum, for students in nursery school up to 21 years old. They provide excellence through an enabling environment for all learners and promoting inclusion… Read more

KALW Local Public Radio 91.7FM in San Francisco hosted Deborah Peralta, co-chair of Inclusive Schools Week in San Francisco, to discuss upcoming events for this celebration in December. They discuss their plans for Inclusive Schools Week which has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly… Read more

When Dr. Frances Stetson heard the plans for the Future Project Team’s Bike-A-Thon presented at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles 2015, she was so impressed and had to help sponsor the event. The Bike-A-Thon was planned by these four gentlemen, the Dream Director and three male students from the inner city of… Read more

By Tina Calabro As fall turns to winter, high school football fields are suddenly without their determined athletes and rousing marching bands. The autumn rituals haven't changed much over the years, but in one important way they have. More students with disabilities are making their way in the mainstream of high school life, and many… Read more

What great photos from this outdoor International ISW celebration in San Miquel Allende! The children's artwork is phenomenal and so colorful… Read more

Enjoy this Animoto video featuring photos from Loundon County Public School's 2012 ISW Celebration.  LCPS 2012 ISW Celebration Animoto video Read more about their celebration plans: Loundon County ISW 2012 Plans… Read more

Alyssa Postman wrote from UNO Roberto Clemente Charter Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. "We celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by holding 2 professional development sessions for our staff on accommodating & modifying instruction as well as supporting learners with social-emotional needs. Teachers also presented the "Get Into It" lesson plans from Special Olympics in their classrooms. We… Read more

D.C. Public Schools is celebrating ISW in a BIG Way this year! Read more about their Celebration plans here! The Inclusive Programming Division will be hosting Inclusive Schools Week on December 1-4. Mark your calendars! We have four exciting events, one on each day after school, at schools around the District. Our aim is to celebrate all DCPS… Read more

This success story was shared on our facebook page! What a great way to have fun together and celebrate inclusion! In honor of Inclusive Schools Week, Farrington High School in Kalihi, HI went to bowling with their Friends Program. It was an awesome day filled with laughter and strikes galore. Have an awesome week everyone… Read more

Our question for today is how do we build effective parent-school partnerships in inclusive schools. There’s an enormous body of research and studies on the positive impact of parent partnerships and student success not just in school but throughout life. We cannot educate our children without reaching out to their parents. When schools and families… Read more

As part of a week-long celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, Tacoma Public Schools hosted an Inclusive Gallery Exhibit and Resource Fair at Mount Tahoma High School. Student artists from all abilities and grade levels displayed work representing what inclusion means to them. It was truly an amazing event with 82 pieces of art representing inclusion. Over… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools Hosting Inclusive Schools Week Events by Staff Reports November 26, 2014 03:42 PM Atlanta Public Schools will join school districts and communities around the world in celebrating the 14th annual Inclusive Schools Week Monday through Dec. 5, with events and activities in classrooms, schools and communities to raise awareness of educational practices that… Read more

We were so excited to hear that Inclusive Schools Week 2014 was celebrated in Uganda! Center Director of the Tororo Christian Center Education Campus, Gabriel Odoi Owor, contacted us to share details of their ISW celebration. Their mission is “Making Schools Inclusive.”  Here are some pictures and highlights of their celebration… Read more

San Francisco Unified Schools held an impressive celebration for 2014 Inclusive Schools Week. Here are a few highlights below! Superintendent Richard Carranza speaks about inclusion from the podium.   L to R: Deborah Peralta, CAC member and parent at Sunset Elementary, Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services,  and  stand in front of the… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the Michigan State Board of Education passed an ISW Resolution. Inclusive Schools are envisioned in the State Board's framework for policy development: Universal Education:Vision and Principles… Read more

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and its planning partners have coordinated a week-long series of city-wide events and trainings in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.  Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and the great work our city is doing to ensure that inclusion… Read more

Students hope to raise $500 to donate to Jill's House in Vienna. In observance of National Inclusive Schools Week, December 2-6, the students and staff members at Vienna Elementary School will participate in a different activity each day designed to encourage inclusion for all students.  Vienna Elementary School is a Fairfax County public school. The school… Read more

In celebration of Inclusive Schools Week, the PWCS Office of Special Education, invites schools to create a colorful and attractive banner or poster that focuses on stakeholders’ awareness of this event. An inclusive school is where there is a sense of belonging—all students are welcomed members of the school community. There is acceptance and understanding… Read more

Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives – 1201 17th St, NW Details: The Inclusive Schools Week Planning Committee would like to extend a special invitation to its 2012 Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) Kick-Off Event. The event aims to highlight the District of Columbia’s work toward creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and engage participants in interactive activities… Read more

At Camelot Elementary, Mr. Cody Kemp and Mr. Paul Goodwin co-teach twenty four fifth grade students in the areas of reading/English language arts and mathematics. Co-teaching is a partnership between general and special educators who share the philosophy that they are responsible for all children. Co-teaching requires interweaving the skills of both educators to meet… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week (ISW) is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. Celebrated during the first week in December, ISW was created to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomics status, cultural… Read more

Take a look at the short "how to" video that that Malia Rappaport (one of I am Norm's fantastic youth leaders) put together to promote Inclusive Schools Week. Find more videos on the I Am Norm Facebook page.  … Read more

Submitted by: Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chari, Newton Sped PAC FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, December 7th. Book display highlighting differences of all kinds Principal's note focusing on inclusion in the next issue of the Franklin newsletter All classrooms to participate in a grade-appropriate "I feel included when" activity BURR ELEMENTARY Schoolwide Activities  Teacher communication—providing teachers… Read more

Atlanta Public Schools has many different activities planned for Inclusive Schools Week. The Board of Education has  proclaimed that the week of December 5th-9th will be Inclusive Schools Week.. On Monday, the Central Office Staff will be greeted at the door in the morning with pencils, stickers and gifts from the ISN Shop. They will also… Read more

The state of Minnesota has issued a proclamation identifying December 5th-9th as Inclusive Schools Week.  In support of this proclamation, a group of organizations have come together and are offering a free community event on December 6, 2011 with Dr. Patrick Schwarz at the Bloomington Civic Plaza in Minnesota.  He will be speaking on- From… Read more

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County & Special Populations Group of meadow Creek PTA are offering a special screening of "Including Samuel" Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  The screening will be held at the Meadow Creek Cafeteria in Bedford, Texas.  To learn more about the film and how this district is celebrating click… Read more

Submitted by Teresa Callahan, Assistant Principal of Magnolia Park Elementary School Highlights of Celebration Activities Ocean Springs School District on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has several exciting plans to celebrate Inclusive Education Week! For the big Kick-off, the Mayor is issuing an official proclamation for next week to be Inclusive Education week in our community, using… Read more

Submitted by Lairalaine M. White Inclusive Schools Week Celebration Plans In addition to centerwide activities, Teaching Teams at the Frazer Center will: Create a colorful display that tells an inclusive practice that is used whether it’s on a daily basis or something new. Be able to answer the question “What is Inclusion?” Be able to present… Read more

– Submitted by Deirdre Marshall Phillips, FIN Facilitator, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Highlights of ISW in Miami-Dade County Public Schools First, Miami-Dade Schools has partnered with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Inclusion Network, VSA Arts of Florida, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida to showcase student performances from our… Read more

Submitted by Kathryn Simic, Director of Family and Community Services, Cooke Center for Learning and Development Highlights of Inclusive Schools Week On December 10th, 2009. Cooke Center for Learning and Development will be hosting the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Childrens Committee's Celebration of National Inclusive Schools Week. Sherri LaFond of the NYC Department of Education, District… Read more

Submitted by Jo-Louise Allen, Co-Chair, Newton Parents Advisory Council for Special Education  High School Activities Newton South High School Advisory teachers showed a YouTube video clip of "Soeren Colombo Speech about his Sister" during the Tuesday, December 8th advisory block. The speech focuses on the use of the word "retard" and its effect on our… Read more

Submitted by: Amy Woods, Office of Special Education, Neward Public Schools As the largest school district in New Jersey, Newark Public Schools is committed to providing quality education to over 40,000 students. This year, Newark Public Schools proudly celebrated Inclusive Schools Week by sending activities, resources, and books to every one of our 63 schools… Read more

Richmond Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week 2022 and shared their plans and activities with the Inclusive Schools Network! The selected activities engaged students in thinking deeply about their peers and how they can be more understanding of the world we live in.  The event gathered students, families, and the community in… Read more

Finding My Way Books honors children with disabilities by sharing their stories and celebration their inclusion. This year, Finding My Way Books is sharing the story of Onika. Onika Wants to Help shares the story of four friends and how their lives changed after the Rainbow School was built in their village in Tanzania. For… Read more

Kids Included Together (KIT) & Changing Perspectives worked in collaboration to bring you The 2022 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week 2022, December 5-9. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2022. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy in the Tulsa Public Schools celebrated its third year of Able Athletes. Featured in Inclusion in Action in September 2020, the Inclusive Schools Network applauds Monroe’s continued efforts to provide “a safe environment that encourages all students to realize their full potential.” Students in Able Athletes met once a week after school in… Read more

Multiple buildings in the Ossining Union Free School District, located in Westchester County, New York, celebrated Inclusive Schools Week.  Ossining is home to approximately 5100 students.  Members of our school community were provided with resources and events to develop and raise awareness about the benefits of inclusive educational practices. Park Early Childhood Center (Pre-k & Kindergarten)… Read more

We are pleased to share the 2021 Inclusive Schools Week Activity Guide developed in partnership by Kids Included Together (KIT) and Changing Perspectives. This activity guide is meant to be utilized by teachers during Inclusive Schools Week 2021. While Inclusive Schools Week is intended to provide support to all marginalized students, this guide is focused… Read more

NOW LIVE! Free Introduction to UCS Course Series for Educators We are so excited to share the new Unified Champion Schools (UCS) training created especially for educators is now live on our learning platform SO Learn! This series includes four courses that will increase educators understanding of the Unified Champion Schools strategy and demonstrate its… Read more

Theodore Roosevelt High School, a Global Studies Campus in DC Public Schools, values all students’ unique talents and encourages and challenges students to become intellectually curious, world language proficient, internationally aware, and globally responsive. Roosevelt High School is kicking off Inclusive Schools Week on Monday, December 6, 2021, with a mini-lesson on inclusion for their… Read more

A solid foundation is essential to any building project.  The foundation not only supports the building and anchors it against natural forces, but it also protects the structure from ground moisture, so it stands firm.  In our schools and communities, strong leadership is the foundation that supports an inclusive school environment and anchors it firmly… Read more

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools is a program for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create accepting school environments.  SOUCS utilizes three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. In October 2021, Unified Champion Schools across the U.S. participated in… Read more

The 25th anniversary of the movie classic “Field of Dreams,” celebrated this year with the MLB game in the Iowa cornfields, gives testimony to the movie’s legendary line, “If you build it, they will come.”  It also echoes the message and hope of this year’s rebuilding theme for Inclusive Schools Week.  If we share ownership… Read more

Founded by two youth leaders in 2009 as Spread the Word to End the Word, the campaign focused its first 10 years on addressing a particularly powerful form of exclusion: the word ‘retard(ed)’. In 2017, 70% of teens said they vocalized the wrong and demeaning use of the R-word when it used in conversation, up nearly 50% since 2009.  Over 10 years, leaders and self-advocates collected millions of digital and physical… Read more

Despite not being in person this year, the SFUSD Inclusive Schools Week Task force members, schools and families created inspiring and informative virtual activities and resources in the midst of a global pandemic.  The week kicked off with a Young Adult Discussion Panel, where young adults with disabilities spoke about the challenges they have faced and continue… Read more

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, one public integrated preschool program in Massachusetts has been open since September to service their families in town—the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Elementary School Pre-K Program in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts.  At this school, preschool children have been going to school every day interacting with their peers in the most socially distant practices… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) virtually celebrated Inclusive Schools Week the week of Dec 7th through the 11th.  This is the second year SLCSD has participated in this worldwide event. The SLCSD Board of Education passed an Inclusive Schools Resolution at its April 14, 2020 meeting.  This resolution directed the District to strive to implement… Read more

Richmond Public Schools students celebrated #ISW2020 by designing t-shirts to promote inclusion! See below for their creative and powerful designs… Read more

Submitted by: Aga Chojnacka Activities that Promote Awareness Every November and December IGBIS celebrates and raises awareness of one of the key pillars and values of our community- INCLUSION. This year, even though we are currently in distance learning mode we have already planned for and developed a programme of themes for discussion and reflection… Read more

KIPP Woodson Park Academy in Atlanta Public Schools has shared their celebration plans for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week! Activities that Promote Awareness Staff will make a Flipgrid video highlighting “Our difference is our superpower” that will be shared to grade levels. Students will make a Flipgrid responding to the same prompt. Videos will be… Read more

The Inclusive Schools Network is excited to partner with Finding My Way Books and celebrate this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. Finding My Way Books has been working for almost a decade to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities by sharing their stories in nonfiction picture books. One of their goals is to offer school… Read more

Monroe Demonstration Academy holds an after school program called Able Athletes where students who are labeled as having Autism and Multiple Disabilities participate in a 10-week after school program where they get to learn and practice gross motor skills such as jumping, striking, balancing etc. The program is culminated with a school-wide assembly in which… Read more

Park Early Childhood Center in Ossining, New York celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for the first time.  Park is home to approximately 600 our youngest learners and houses our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. In collaboration with members of the Park Equity Committee and members of our Special Education Steering Committee, a week-long schedule of school-wide events… Read more

During Inclusive Schools Week 2019, the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) participated in the worldwide Inclusive Schools Week sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. The ISKL student body has representation from countries across the world and every single one of these students brings something different and unique to ISKL.  Mr Rami Madani, ISKL’s Head of… Read more

This year at IGB International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we felt that we really raised the bar from our previous years’ efforts. We were finally able to put together a Parent Volunteer Organisation Committee for Inclusion, and parents carefully planned the lead up to Inclusive Schools Week, and the week itself. Posters about inclusion… Read more

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) is celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!  This year marks the first time SLCSD will participate in this worldwide event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network. SLCSD welcomes students from across the globe with over 80 languages spoken in the homes of its students. This depth and breadth of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and… Read more

Activities that Promote Awareness This year’s theme is “Charting the Course for Inclusive Schools.” Atlanta Public Schools (APS) will celebrate the entire week of December 2-6, 2019 with various inclusive activities. The CLL program will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 11:30 AM in the CLL Auditorium. Crystal Jones, Principal of Beecher Hills… Read more

M.L. Donovan Elementary in Randolph Public Schools, Massachusetts developed a comprehensive school-wide celebration plan for this year’s Inclusive Schools Week. The plan was developed by administration and grade-level teams. The goals for the week include supporting and building school culture through increasing student understanding of inclusion, how it makes Donovan a better school, and how… Read more

Lisa Lightner is an Award-Winning Special Education Advocate and Blogger who resides in southeastern Pennsylvania. She holds and has held numerous Director positions on boards for education and disability-related organizations. She is currently on the Parent Advisory Committee for Education Voters PA and Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health Family Advisory Board. Learn more about Lisa’s work… Read more

Dr. Josette McCullough, Director of Educational Resources in Appoquinimink School District, shared her district’s efforts to improve inclusion across the school system. Statement of the Challenge Getting away from the belief that in order to receive specially designed instruction and/or accommodations, it has to occur in a “place.” Instead, “Special education is a service, not… Read more

What motivates you to produce films about the challenges and benefits of inclusion? My son Samuel and his disability were the driving motivations for my first film, Including Samuel, and he continues to be the motivation for my work every day.  Until schools are welcoming for all kids—even those with complex disabilities—Samuel and other students with… Read more

TORORO INSET NUSERY TEACHER TRAINING SCHOOL, in partnership with Tororo Municipal Education Office, has been training and equipping field teachers with new skills to transform the current ordinary ECD-nursery school education centers to inclusive education centers, giving them skills to address the needs of diverse learners. Tororo Inset uses materials and training from education offices… Read more

We are so excited to share an international inclusion celebration that just took place this April. Even though Inclusive Schools Week is officially the first week of December, it is NEVER a bad time to celebrate inclusion in schools! The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) in Malaysia celebrated Inclusive Schools Week April 1-5, 2019… Read more

This Completion Report was shared with us by The Teacher’s Gallery in the Philippines. What an inspiring celebration! We hope that their thoughts and ideas can help you when planning your own Inclusive Schools Week celebration. Background Inclusion is an advocacy that is growing in today’s Philippine society, especially in pursuing the goal of inclusive… Read more

Helen Morgan School celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a special Disabilities Awareness Day.  The 4th graders participated in a series of simulations facilitated by special services staff as well as high school student leaders.  In the pictures, you can see the activities included simulations related to fine motor challenges (sock activity), gross motor (wheelchair navigation and… Read more

Celebrate National Inclusive Schools Week with a powerful short film: “Ian” Academy Award-eligible, “Ian” tells the story of a real-life boy with Cerebral Palsy whose fierce determination to be included on his local playground changes the beliefs and actions of his community. Download these talking points that will help you generate a thoughtful post-viewing discussion among… Read more

Below is the Inclusive Schools Week activity flyer for KIPP Ways Academy. They used activities to bridge with the primary campus for The Week and showcased their crafts in the shared common spaces.  They are excited about the planned activities for scholars each day. There are 3 craft activities planned, a whole school morning meeting… Read more

Please Join Eureka! Inclusive Communities Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. The energy and desire for inclusion is strong and growing in Santa Clara County. This opportunity to meet others that are paving the path forward share experiences, insights, lessons, and celebrate accomplishments is priceless. View their PowerPoint Presentation HERE Information about the Gathering You… Read more

Here are a few good celebration ideas from an international participant of ISW 2018. The picture shows two elementary students participating in an activity with conversation starters during lunchtime. Everyone is enjoying Inclusive Schools Week the activities planned for The Week. My name is Lizzie Hudson and I am the Learning Support teacher at IGB… Read more

Catoctin Elementary in Loudoun County celebrated Inclusive Schools Week with a variety of activities planned by the PTA and school staff. During The Week students decorated classroom doors with hands that share what the word “Inclusion” means to them.  Guidance continued lessons on inclusion and kindness.  Books from the library were displayed to encourage inclusion-themed reading and… Read more

Kimberly Dempsey (assistant principal), Anne Terry (school counselor), and Melissa Middlebrooks (school counseling intern) have collaborated and organized several ISW 2018 activities listed below. We hope they inspire your ISW Celebrations! Little River has an active PTA and a strong presence on Twitter and FaceBook so they are planning a social media campaign for the… Read more

All school teams, administrators, and school-based staff are invited to sign up for a visit to learn about Showcase Schools’ promising practices and the conditions that help them thrive in a variety of Learning Focus Areas—including special education, student voice, curriculum design, and more. It is recommended to register early as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and to attend… Read more

The mission of the Plymouth River School Community in Hingham Public Schools, where children are treasured, is to foster a love of learning in an innovative, cooperative climate which empowers all students to be competent, productive, caring and responsible citizens. Principal Melissa Smith and her staff have created a plan including activities to help celebrate… Read more

An international non-profit organization, Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities.  Their mission is to create inclusive playgrounds and educational programs that unite children of all abilities. Take a tour of one of their INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS. Together, We Are Able is their powerful school social inclusion program. Proven already… Read more

Inclusive Schools Network is pleased to partner with Disability Equality in Education. Read below to learn more about this organization and the resources they offer. The culture of silence ends. The conversation starts here. Our Mission is to show all students  that disability is a powerful identity and a natural part of the human experience… Read more

The Nora Project‘s mission is to teach empathy by sparking friendships between students and their peers with disabilities. Why it Matters Creating supportive communities for people with disabilities (now and for the future) starts with teaching today’s generation empathy—a practice that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Without the opportunity to learn… Read more

Inclusive Schools Week is a proud partner with INTELLIGENT LIVES, the groundbreaking new documentary by Dan Habib. Narrated by Academy-award winning actor Chris Cooper, the film stars three pioneering young adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. The film can now… Read more

Swim Team chronicles the extraordinary rise of the Jersey Hammerheads, a New Jersey based swim team of diverse teenagers on the autism spectrum. Following the team for a season from their first day at practice to the National Special Olympics, and covering their struggles and triumphs in and out of the water, Swim Team captures… Read more

Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. Founded in 1960, it is recognized throughout Illinois as a leader in providing bold, pioneering and uncompromising services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the Chicagoland community. They have partnered in  “All… Read more

Tororo Inset Nursery Teacher Training School: The center that works in partnership with education offices to promote inclusive education practices in Early childhood development (nursery education inclusive practices) in Uganda includes: 1.  Inclusive schools and children with disability assessments 2. Training of inclusive education teachers to support children with special needs, using Stetson Associate, Inc. inclusion… Read more

Thanks so much Mrs. Sarah Pike for sharing your plans! We can’t wait to see hear more about how the week went! Bush Hill Elementary School has celebrated Inclusive Schools Week for many years! As our Panthers celebrate the uniqueness of our school community, we have several activities planned to teach students how to be… Read more

We received an updated from Nepal. There are great things happening there to support inclusion! “It is my pleasure for me and my organization, Akshar Arambha Nepal-AAN, to share our inclusive education campaign for “Inclusive Schools Week”.  During this period, we have organized an inclusive education orientation program for mainstream school students and an inclusive… Read more

Washoe County School District is making a difference for its 65,000 students by approaching inclusive practices systematically through ongoing training and technical support. Inclusive Practice is a district focus and schools have chosen to focus on it as part of their School Improvement Plans. In the summer of 2015, we began district-wide training on inclusive… Read more

Galileo High in San Francisco Unified School District kicks off a district-wide Inclusive Schools Week celebration with cheers, dance, ‘speed-friending’. WHAT To kick off Inclusive Schools Week, Galileo High students will be listening to K-Pop and B-Boys and participating in lunchtime activities to celebrate the school’s inclusive practices. WHEN Monday, December 5 / 11:15 a.m… Read more

Linton Elementary located on the east side of the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas is a “Champion of Inclusion.”  The school’s motto,  “Know All- Love All -Serve All” is the catalyst that drives what’s done in and out of the classroom. The namesake for the school, Dolores Linton, was a pioneer in… Read more

The Frazer Center is an inclusive community where people at all levels of ability and disability gather, learn, and flourish together. They had a great celebration plan for ISW 2016. Check out some of their activities! !  … Read more