Stretching the limits
Yoga class helps EC students physically and mentally
Some Exceptional Children at Kennedy
Middle are going to the mat in a yoga class
that stretches their bodies and their minds.
The Exceptional Yoga Program is
designed for Extensions students, who
have an adapted curriculum that meets the
academic, behavioral and social-emotional
needs of students with significant intellectual
disabilities and autism. Students meet once
a week for eight weeks to learn the eight
elements of yoga – including postures,
breathing and concentration -- from a
certified yoga instructor.
Bridget Zapolnik, a yoga instructor and
speech pathologist from Cabarrus County,
whose sister has special needs, thought yoga
would be beneficial to EC students at school.
Her idea reached EC teacher Emily Reindollar
through a mutual friend and became a reality
at Kennedy five years ago. The program has since expanded to Randolph
Middle, Winget Park Elementary and Butler High, and is being made available
to other schools in the region.
“They’re learning the foundations of yoga,” Zapolnik said. “It’s cool, it’s
fun and many of these things are like the ABCs of life.”
Zapolnik volunteered her time to get the program off the ground, but
instructors are now paid through fundraising and other sources. Reindollar
became a certified instructor in August and took over her own class of 28
students at Kennedy. She said they caught on quickly to yoga, which can
increase muscle strength, posture and flexibility, but they are also learning
socialization, self-control and other skills that are easy to incorporate into
their lessons.
”They have a fun time doing the same things as everybody else,”
Reindollar said. “People underestimate them, but they look forward to this.
They use the vocabulary of yoga and talk about it all week long.”
Jennifer Caldwell, an Extensions teacher at Winget Park, said her goal for
the program is for students to learn ways to calm and refocus themselves,
and for her to learn techniques to help students throughout the day.
‘The end of the rainbow is only a few doors away’
Wilson STEM Academy reopens as a magnet school
Wilson STEM Academy held a ribbon-
cutting ceremony Oct. 19 to formally celebrate
its reopening as a magnet school.
Wilson had been closed since 2009, when
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools needed to
make changes due to the recession. As a
new science, technology, engineering and
mathematics school, Wilson has about 500
students in grades six through eight.
The ribbon-cutting opened with an
ambassador, Sylavain Thomas, welcoming the
students and district leaders in attendance.
She was followed by Student Body President
Treasure Watson, who spoke about her vision
for the school.
“My vision is that Wilson be a safe learning
environment for students and teachers,” said
Treasure. “I want the students and teachers to
be happy with their school.”
Mary McCray, chairperson of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of
Education, told the students that there is one thing they need to remember.
“Always remember that you as students are what is important at Wilson,”
said McCray. “We are happy to have the school back in the CMS family.”
CMS Chief of Staff Laura Francisco told the students that their education
“I have seen students who struggle
to focus on schoolwork for more than 10
minutes complete an entire yoga session with
no interruptions,” Caldwell said. “After they
complete the session, they are calmer, less
distracted and more at ease.”
Rick Mohrien, principal at Winget Park,
said the school’s teachers, especially Caldwell
and Kylie McKinney, recognized the need for
the yoga program.
“This is a great opportunity for us to
personalize the learning experience for all
of our students,” he said. “They enjoy the
opportunity and it has a tremendous impact
on them.”
Principal Kevin Sudimack said the
program at Kennedy has been highly effective
and that the benefits are well worth any
potential cost.
”Research shows that yoga is a great way to center your mind and body,
and it allows Extensions Program students to have some physical activity
outside of the Special Olympics and Adaptive P.E.,” he said.
Kennedy also has a Buddy Program, where other students join the
class to be models for the Extensions students and guide them through
their yoga practice with verbal, visual and physical cues. Reindollar said
applications for the Buddy Program have jumped from about 20 two years
ago to 160 this year.
“The culture of the building and this community is one where all
students are accepted and supported,” Sudimack said. “The fact that over
150 students expressed an interest in being a Buddy highlights the type of
kids we have here at Kennedy and within the Steele Creek community.”
Zapolnik said she never imagined that her yoga program would evolve
into what it is now. She said they are currently working to add yoga classes
at East Mecklenburg and Rocky River high schools, as well as one in Waxhaw.
“We’re also looking at feeder schools so that students can take the class
all the way through,” Zapolnik said. “Education doesn’t stop for these kids.
They learn on the mat.”
at a STEM academy is preparing them for the
future.
The final students who spoke were
Kiara Cross, student body vice president,
and scholar-athletes Se’Quan Osborne and
Dollinda Jackson. Dollinda is the only female
on the school’s football team. They spoke
about the Wilson Way and being scholars,
athletes and leaders.
Principal Jeff Cook closed the ceremony
thanking by those who attended. He
emphasized that Wilson is on a new journey
and “that the end of the rainbow is only a few
doors away.”.
“Our vision is that Wilson STEM Academy
will be a critical and major part of our
scholars’ journey as they step toward the
future in becoming citizens of the world,
who try to make the right choices, who
cooperatively work with others, and who embrace the notion that the pot of
gold at the end of a beautiful rainbow is not a dream, but realize that when
they do their very best, with a committed community, a supportive and
loving family, and a dedicated staff will be the living and breathing proof that
dreams do come true.”
Parent Teacher Magazine •January/February 2019 • 9