Parent Teacher Magazine Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools May 2014 | Page 8

An afternoon to remember Student volunteers hold dance for SAC/AU students Each year, the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) from Ridge Road Middle School hosts a spring dance for specialized academic curriculum/ autistic (SAC/AU) students. The purpose is to learn about leadership skills, build character and to have SAC/AU students socialize together in a formal setting. NJHS students are required to raise the funds for the event, solicit donations from businesses, interview SAC/AU students for ideas and as a final twist – they must create all the décor. The dance held on April 2 resulted in a lot of hard work but even more an understanding about challenges and forming connections. “It’s important to realize students are students everywhere. The SAC/AU students like similar things but they may have to experience it in a different way,” said NJHS co-chair adviser Teresa Blaine. “The SAC students don’t often get to go to dances and do the things that our other students do. It gives our student volunteers a chance to build leadership skills.” About 30 eighth-grade NJHS students participated in the event. Blaine said the work began in February with selling candy-grams during Valentine’s Day for $1 each. The students also wrote letters to local businesses such as Texas Roadhouse Restaurant and Lowe’s Home Improvement and received gift cards, materials and food from many places including Wal-Mart and A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts. They raised nearly $1,000 including money from the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club. “We would feel challenged at times but Ms. Blaine would remind us of the challenges that our SAC/AU students face,” said eighth-grader Kristyn Bond. “A spring dance is something we may take for granted but all eighth-graders want to be able to dance and have fun.” Approximately 150 SAC/AU eighthgraders from across the district attended the dance. Ranson Middle SAC teacher Jennifer McDonald said students usually participate in community-based events to help develop social and life habits. However, the dance at Ridge Road is a formal event where students can put their skills into action. “We call it the hidden curriculum. These are socialization skills our students need to be taught but aren’t offered in a formal lesson,” said McDonald. “It’s really like a prom for our students where they get to come, dress up and feel included. The NJHS students even get the wallflowers involved.” Eighth-grader Emily Phan said they put in hours of volunteer work to pull off a successful dance. They often arrived before school and stayed late to create corsages or boutonnieres and other designs for the spring event including wall décor made of plastic cups. “It is encouraging to do for our SAC/AU students. We wanted to leave a positive impact on their lives and make them feel a part of our Ridge Road community,” said Emily. This is the third year Ridge Road Middle has hosted the spring dance. You Pack, I Plan... You Enjoy! Kid’s Party Packages! BOWLING StrikeCity is a family friendly venue that is great for  family day/night out  kid’s birthday parties  overall fun! [email protected] 210 E. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202 704.716.9300 www.travelbylolly.com Mention this ad for complimentary shoes rentals 866.918.4487•[email protected] 6 • May/June 2014 • Parent Teacher Magazine