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PHOTO: Wayne Saunders, John Murphy, Tammy Fletcher and Shauna Auger visit Somerset Elementary School in Hartland to read the book “A Dog and His Boy” to students. (Submitted photo)
ST. ALBANS – Individuals who participate in SKILLS, Inc.’s community support programs visited local elementary schools during March to read aloud and have conversations with students.
The visits were made to foster community connections during National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Students at Etna-Dixmont School in Etna and Somerset Elementary School in Hartland heard the book “A Dog and His Boy,” read aloud by SKILLS participants. Written by Maine authors Heidi Bullen and Lisa Wentzell, it tells the story of a boy with developmental disabilities and his journey towards acceptance and inclusion. Following the reading, individuals from SKILLS answered questions from students about living a complete life with an intellectual disability.
“The visits to Etna-Dixmont and Somerset Elementary were a great success, and everyone enjoyed their time with the students and teachers at these schools,” Pam Erskine, director of program services at SKILLS, said. “These types of community connections are essential for sharing the message that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities want the same things from life as everyone else. We’d love to have these school visits continue past March, and encourage any interested teachers in central Maine to reach out to us to arrange one.”
SKILLS is a nonprofit organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities and other challenges achieve their goals. It offers services in communities throughout central Maine.
Teachers interested in arranging a school visit from SKILLS may contact Erskine at 207-938-0210 or perskine@skillsinc.net.
