Charles C. McLean Public School students raise awareness about autism

Charles C. McLean Public School hosted a Walk for Autism on April 30, 2013. Leading the way are, from left, Jayden Little, Kowan Orford and Mikayla Noble. The event was the culmination of a series of activities to raise awareness about autism among the entire school community.

The Grade 6/7 class at Charles C. McLean Public School set a goal at the beginning of the school year. They wanted to learn all that they could about autism in order to better understand their classmate Molly.

Throughout the year, students participated in a workshop that taught them what it might be like to be a child living with autism and they shared new learning about autism in class discussions. Most importantly, they included Molly and interacted with her in any way they could, always with kindness, understanding and a lot of enthusiasm.

During Autism Awareness Month in April, the class decided to share their enthusiasm on a broader scale. They started with their school community. Charles C. McLean Public School held a ‘Light it up Blue’ day to kick off the month and the entire school wore blue in support of individuals and families living with autism.

Each morning throughout the month, the Grade 6/7 students, including Molly with the help of her twin sister and technology, prepared facts, quotes, and thoughts about autism and broadcast them on the morning announcements. The students also chose picture books about autism that they read to other classes and answered questions from their peers.

To close Autism Awareness Month in a big way, the students hosted the Charles C. McLean Walk for Autism and promoted the event with flyers. The entire school and many community members walked throughout the town of Gore Bay to raise awareness about autism close to home.

They also raised money. With donations from students, their families and the entire community, they collected $800 for Autism Ontario. When asked how they felt about the day, one student said, “We feel like we have accomplished something!”

Grade 6/7 teacher Courtney Chatwell-Lockyer and Principal Christy Case are proud of their students. “They set a goal to learn about autism and they achieved it,” said teacher Chatwell-Lockyer. “More importantly, they have a better understanding of Molly,” added Principal Case. “The entire school community has benefited from this experience.”

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Media Contact:

Christy Case, Principal, Charles C. McLean Public School,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-368-7015.