Celebrating Inclusive Schools Week: Q&A with Darnestown Elementary School

December 8–12 is Inclusive Schools Week. During this week, we celebrate the schools, educators, students and families who work every day to ensure that all students feel welcomed, supported and valued. Inclusive Schools Week highlights the importance of creating learning environments where every student has the opportunities and access needed to thrive.

To mark the week, several schools participated in a short Q&A about what inclusion looks like on their campuses. Each school responded to the same set of questions, offering a glimpse into the practices, partnerships and commitments that help foster belonging and strengthen their school communities.

What does an inclusive school community look or feel like at your building
At Darnestown, inclusion feels like belonging. Students of all abilities learn and play together. We elevate the importance of both empathy and patience. We engaged in professional learning on the acronym C.A.R.E. Connectivity, Accountability, Responsivity, and Empathy.

What inclusive practices or programs are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the experiences we create for our Learning Students to engage in inclusion. This is when students who are in a self-contained class go to a special with their general education students. 

I am also proud of the culture of collaboration we have established with our Learning Center Teachers and Home-School Model teachers.

What is one thing your school does consistently to make all students feel welcome?
We greet students as they come to school and leverage morning meetings to build community. 

How do you involve families, staff or students in your inclusion efforts?
Our PTA has a parent representative for our Learning Center. This was something our PTA president envisioned and it has worked really well. Our PTA also created quiet spaces for our Learning Center students when we have large events, for it can be very overwhelming for them.