Adaptive PE teachers from across Region 17 planned this event in order to ensure that all students in attendance could participate and socialize with their peers.
Students stayed in their cohorts and rotated through more than 20 different stations and games that included events like bowling, tennis ball launch, volleyball, soccer, bean bag toss, and more. More than 100 volunteers from Frenship and surrounding districts pitched in to help this event happen.
Even cheerleaders from Lubbock Christian University and Texas Tech University, and Raider Red and the Masked Rider joined in on the fun.
Frenship High School Adaptive PE teacher Aaron Tomlinson said this event, especially this year, is the highlight of the year for many of these kids.
“I think it is super important for these kids to be around their peers socially,” Tomlinson said. He spoke about how this event helps them with skills they have learned, but is also a great way for the kids to just be kids. “We’ve got the music going and they are out here laughing and dancing. This is just good for them socially and physically.”
Tomlinson went on to say that events like this that include the Adaptive PE communities from multiple school districts are something so special.
“Just to see them come out here with the laughter and joy on their faces, it is just special,” Tomlinson. “This is the day that all of the kids look forward to. This is what we work for.”
Frenship Director of Special Education Jill Jaquess explained that this event is a great way for general education students and special education students to be able to hang out and work together.
“This was a great day,” Jaquess said. “We didn’t get to have this event last year, and so this year it was just a wonderful opportunity to bring the schools from around the region together.”
Anna Phillips is the Student Support Coordinator at the Region 17 Education Service Center. She said she loves to see adaptive events like this take place for these students.
“It is just a joy to see these kids work together and how they become leaders in themselves,” Phillips said. “It is great to see them helping their friends and enjoying the time together.”