Alyssa posted on September 30, 2009
A wise man was once quoted saying, "Every friend you make opens a door to another world." If this quote proves to hold value, then joining Just Friends is likely to open the door to another universe. This universe is that of Benson’s special education students.
Just Friends is a program for both the regular education and special education students. People from both groups get together during lunch and after school to just hang out and have fun.
"This program helps both sides," said Just Friends sponsor Ms. Woods. "Regular ED is able to develop compassion and understanding, while the special ED kids get someone to eat lunch with and just be their friend."
Making friends and erasing the dividing line between regular education and special education students is the ultimate goal of this group. This is done by playing games, listening to music, cooking treats and, overall, spending time with people who need and appreciate caring, understanding and friendship.
"It’s a wonderful chance for us to hang out with others," said Cimarron. "I’m really looking forward to it."
Cimarron is one of the many special education students that will be participating in Just Friends. All of the special education students are anticipating the program’s official beginning. Ms. Woods has high hopes that once the program is better known, students from both sides will be just as enthused.
"Id really like to see more participants from the regular ED side," said Woods. "So far I’ve only heard of one student that is interested and I haven’t seen him yet so I’m hoping that there will be more people once the word gets out about Just Friends."
Principle Dale is also hoping that students get involved in this program and she knows that there are students at Benson that would be fitting.
"We have students here who understand that for other students it’s harder, life is harder," said Dale. "They don’t have the benefits of being physically or mentally ‘normal’ and that they need to be, kind of, looked after. The students who understand this are just those who like to give their time and volunteer."
Students who feel they have the time and dedication to join the program are strongly encouraged to. Meetings are after school every other Tuesday and will begin on October 6. The first meeting will be held in the teacher’s lounge across the hall from room 208.
Story by: Alyssa Hopper