At Rancho San Diego Elementary School in the Cajon Valley Union School District, the Circle of Friends program was created to help every student at Rancho San Diego Elementary feel included, no matter what. The unique program is designed to teach general education students that special education students are not as different as they may think.
Circle of Friends provides general education students opportunities to interact and socialize with the special education students, where they can see for themselves how similar they are. Resource Specialist Jennifer Moser says that the idea behind Circle of Friends is that as general ed and special ed students are paired up together and spend time with each other, they will see that there are not that many differences between them and form a friendship. These friendships will continue to expand and the circle of friendship will encompass more and more students.
As Circle of Friends builds connections between students on campus through play, lunch groups, and other activities, the joy seen in those connections in evident. One student noted that because of her experiences in Circle of Friends, she has come to appreciate those around her and be thankful for who she is. Many general education students involved in the program look forward to their interactions with their Circle of Friends buddies and truly enjoy the friendships created.
Enjoy some of the interactions between the remarkable students and teachers in circle of friends at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY7TpJVrYmw.
About Cajon Valley Union School District
With roots dating back to 1870, Cajon Valley Union School District focuses on the positivity of each student’s unique strengths, interests, and values. Serving over 60 square miles of San Diego’s East County, Cajon Valley Union School District offers personalized education, with programs that develop students’ interests into goals for a career-minded approach.
Visit the district at www.cajonvalley.net and don’t forget to follow CVUSD on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Media Contact
Company Name: Cajon Valley Union School District
Contact Person: Howard Shen
Email:Send Email
Phone: 619.588.3000
Address:750 E Main St
City: EL CAJON
State: CA
Country: United States
Website: https://www.cajonvalley.net/Page/14398
