Letters: SCHOOL ESSAYS ON THE VALUE OF INCLUSION
Every year, the city's Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services sponsors an essay contest to highlight the inclusion of those with mental retardation in society. Here are a few of the winning entries.
Every year, the city's Department of Behavioral Health/Mental Retardation Services sponsors an essay contest to highlight the inclusion of those with mental retardation in society. Here are a few of the winning entries.
Include Me!
Armend Shehu, Grade 2
Joseph Greenberg School
Dina Pierce, Teacher
First Place Tie, Grades 1-3
Included in a classroom is fun!
Both classes make sure I get my work done.
Everyone in my classes gets along.
They make sure I feel good and I belong!
I really feel like I won!
Like Flowers in the Garden
Gabrielle Suissa, Grade 5
Joseph Greenberg School
Hildy Pepper and Dina Pierce
First Place, Grades 4-6
Like flowers in the garden
We are not the same
But that is okay
Because we work together
Night and day.
Like flowers in the garden
We are not the same
But that is fine
Because we are together
To share our minds.
Like flowers in the garden
We are not the same
But if we open our hearts
We will find
We all bloom in the same sunshine.
We All Belong
Carlos Lanier, Grade 6
J. H. Taggert School
Jeanne Monteith, Teacher
First Place, Grade 6
We all want to belong
For if we don't the world is lonely and divided.
Many feel as if they don't belong.
We are all human, just with different forms, abilities, talents, and gifts.
No matter our skin color, smartness, strengths, and wit.
No matter if we are black, white, or Asian, or any race,
We all belong for we are all human, God's people, God's race.
People in wheelchairs also have gifts, compassion, and patience.
Even though some are challenged,
They are still strong.
If you don't treat them equally, you are wrong.
For if people are challenged in any way
It doesn't mean that they can't save your life someday.
Help each other be strong,
Make a world of winners,
A World Where We All Belong.
Inclusion Is the Future
Pei Ming Zhao, Grade 8
Woodrow Wilson Middle School
Janice Hill, Teacher
First Place, Grades 7-8
Inclusion is belonging to one race, the
Human race,
It's struggling to figure out how to live
With one another,
Inclusion is not something you do to
Someone or for someone,
It is something we do with one another,
Inclusion is a noun,
The opposite of inclusion is exclusion,
Inclusion is pain, struggle, joy, tears,
Grief, mourning, and celebration.
It is the ship that hasn't even been built,
As one we will build it together.
Inclusion is a kaleidoscope of diversity,
Bit of color, sound, shape, and size.
Inclusion is the future.