What Do Inclusion and Pianos Have in Common? Read On!
Recently, Mason Public Schools (MPS) celebrated Inclusion Week. Bright and early Monday morning, I popped into Rachel Huntley’s kindergarten classroom, situated close to the school entrance, only to find her children getting ready to learn all about it.
I needed to go no further! Her explanation to her students regarding inclusion and how everyone in MPS was going to be learning more about it during the week was stellar. Those students thought it was the coolest thing ever to be learning the same things as the big kids. Their expressions and body language said it all! They couldn’t have been more attentive.
After the brilliant intro, Rachel shared the delightful children’s book titled “The Big Red Umbrella,” using the umbrella to demonstrate kindness and inclusion work. It’s a story about a big, red, friendly umbrella that provides shelter and brings people together regardless of their differences. Following a class conversation about the story, each student created a self-portrait to be placed under the large cut out of the big red umbrella the teacher had prepared. (I even made myself a portrait and placed it under the umbrella, too! I was encouraged by the children as they wanted to make sure I was included!) They warmed my heart!
During the afternoon, a host of high school students fanned out across the elementary buildings to facilitate inclusion activities. Engagement was through the roof! Students experienced inclusion and exclusion – and what each felt like. There’s no better way to learn it than to live it, or at least simulate it.
While the district motto is “Every student, every day,” just like a piano, our inclusion practices need fine tuning. Thus, every day during Inclusion Week, time in every building was set aside to rethink, refresh, dig deeper and celebrate our successes associated with inclusion. Themes included self-acceptance, empathy, respect and community. I had the opportunity to visit several classes across all grades during the week, where I observed a host of activities, stories, videos and more, laced with interactive conversations focused on the daily themes with an eye towards fine tuning our practices.
As a family member of a Mason student or as a private citizen in the Mason Community, I encourage you to talk to our students about their learning. I challenge you to rethink inclusion as it relates to YOU. Imagine all of us snuggled under the Big Red Umbrella!
Post Script: Kudos to Krista Sherman and Courtney Ford, co-planners and chief “Piano Tuners” of Inclusion Week.
