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