The Preschool is hopping this week as Preschoolers recognize Disability Awareness Week, which started on Monday, January 25. The week, which is observed in the Preschool annually, features special visitors and activities.

On Monday, representatives from the Easter Seals Society,an advocacy group for people with disabilities, visited to tell the students about The Hop-n-ing, an annual event that supports Easter Seals. On Tuesday, students started hopping. They had earlier solicited pledges per hop from friends and family.  At left, Kindergartner Evan Cox hops as junior Shalanda Williams counts. Evan hopped 325 times!

During Disability Awareness Week, Preschoolers learn what it is like to live with a disability.  They spend time in gym class trying different physical activities with a “disability” -- feet or hands tied together or dark glasses -- to see how challenging it is to complete tasks. Art classes during this week are devoted to Frida Kahlo, who enjoyed success as an artist despite her disability.

On Wednesday,Nikki De Petula and her service dog Garver visited.Mickey and Garver demonstrated how he helps Mickey get around, picking items up off the ground for her and even pulling her laundry basket! Nikki recently started playing French horn in a band. She and Garver showed the group how they take a bow after each performance.

On Friday, the students will join wheelchair basketball player John Pellegrino in the gym to shoot some hoops.

Garver pulls a laundry basket for his owner Nikki De Petula	Garver and Nikki take a bow!