Inclusion. It is a way of thinking, a mindset where teachers and staff take responsibility for the success of all students. This week is National Inclusive Schools Week, a time to note how well inclusion is working at Forestville Elementary School. “We have a very inclusive atmosphere at Forestville on both sides of the spectrum,” said Kathleen Quigley, Assistant Principal.

Five years ago, Forestville introduced the Enhanced Autism Program (EAP.) Today, there are five students served through this classroom program.

“THE GOAL of this program has been to meet each child’s academic, behavioral, emotional and social needs in our classroom, to enable them to use those skills outside the classroom and become inclusive with their peer group,” said Lindsay Barnas, a Learning Resource Teacher for the program.

Charlie Colligan, a fourth grader at Forestville, has done just that. He has been in the EAP since kindergarten and now spends more than half of his day with his peer group. This inclusive model has enabled him to develop relationships with peers in his class. “We’ve been so pleased with the progress he’s made,” said Beth Colligan, Charlie’s mother. “Ms. Barnas along with Charlie’s general education teacher, Laura Stanley, have been so communicative. The interest and the dedication of the staff don’t stop at 3:55 p.m. The relationship with his peer group is continuing to build his confidence and success.”

Last year, Charlie performed with the rest of his social studies class in a rendition of “Virginia Colony.” He enjoyed participating and the other children cheered him on. “When he had success, everyone in the classroom felt it and shared in it,” said Patrick Mills, Charlie’s third grade social studies teacher. “They were all working together. He was just another member of the class.”



FOUR YEARS AGO, the Forestville brought the Academically Advanced Program (APP) into the school. This allowed the children in the program to be inclusive with their own community. “It was a dream of ours to send Kendall to an excellent school in our own community,” said Rita Raymond, mother of Kendall, a fifth grader in the AAP. “We wanted to root ourselves in a local school, have her ride the bus and develop relationships within her community. She is getting an excellent education.”

“One of our parent volunteers, a grandmother in her 70s, creates beautiful quilts,” said Matt Harris, principal of Forestville. “Several hang in our school. An inclusive Forestville involving our whole community reminds me of these quilts in its richness of makeup and complexity. Inclusive school practices create an environment in which character, education, diversity of instruction and excellent life skills evolve beautifully. Everyone learns and benefits from these practices.”


— Kristine Nash