As the year comes to an end, many parents find themselves in school auditoriums, eagerly capturing the charm of their children’s holiday performances. Phones are held high, and the pride radiates as they watch their kids shine on stage. But what if your child isn’t up there with their classmates? This was the unfortunate reality for Julia Thompson and her ten-year-old son, Ethan, at Maple Grove Elementary.
Ethan, who has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair, was left sitting on the sidelines while his peers took center stage. Julia expressed her confusion to The Daily Buzz, stating, “Ethan has performed in previous shows alongside his classmates, so it’s perplexing why he was excluded this time. I just don’t get it.” And she has every right to be upset. In an interview with the local paper, she said, “There was absolutely no justification for this. They won’t get away with it… I never imagined something like this could happen to my son.” During the performance, Julia even approached the principal, Sarah Greene, to address the situation, only to be dismissed and told it was the music teacher’s decision.
In the aftermath, Greene issued a public apology, promising that “all staff will undergo disability awareness and sensitivity training to reinforce our commitment to an inclusive environment.” While sensitivity training is a step in the right direction, shouldn’t basic common sense come into play as well? With a crowd of teachers and staff present, not one individual thought, “This isn’t right. Let’s bring him up on stage with the others”?
Two possibilities emerge from this incident: either the staff didn’t recognize the segregation as a problem or they simply chose to ignore it, much like Greene did when confronted. Both scenarios are utterly unacceptable. In 2015, we’re advancing towards Mars, yet we can’t manage to have all students included in a holiday concert? What message does this send not only to Ethan but to his classmates? What is the school teaching about inclusion, equality, and fairness? One can only hope that the students learn these values elsewhere since it’s evident the staff is falling short.
These incidents only contribute to the growing divide and anger among younger generations. Children often feel marginalized and unloved, and situations like the one at Maple Grove Elementary only add fuel to that fire. It’s disheartening to think that the adults entrusted with guiding these kids failed to step up. They all need to reflect on their actions, or perhaps consider a different line of work.
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In summary, the exclusion of a special needs student from a performance is a stark reminder of the need for greater awareness and action to ensure true inclusivity in our schools. It’s time to prioritize empathy and understanding over apathy.
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