The City of Warman shone a spotlight last week on a class at Warman High School (WHS) that encourages students to form friendships and build relationships with youth who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The WHS ‘Best Buddies’ class was created in 2019 and thrives under the direction of teachers Jennifer Schneider and Shannon Lansford. The class was presented with the city’s 2023 Group of the Year award on Tuesday, May 28.
Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk, a former vice-principal at WHS, said the award recognizes the contribution of the class to improving the quality of life for students and the community as a whole.
“This has made a big difference in many lives over the years,” said Philipchuk. “It’s also helped many students choose a career path in life that involves helping others.”
Lansford said the experience of working with the students over the past four years has been rewarding for the teachers involved.
“Many of the students are now working in the field of social services,” said Lansford.
Schneider said the value of the program extends beyond the classroom.
“Even more valuable is what happens in the school hallways,” said Schneider. “We see the positive interactions between students, because they’ve made the connections and gotten to know each other as people; they see beyond the surface disabilities.”
Schneider added that even students who have taken the class continue their friendships with their peers who live with disabilities.
“There’s hardly a day goes by that someone does not come in to say hello,” she said. “Even though you’re not taking the class this semester, you guys have made those connections. You have no idea the impact that it has on the students in this room. Kudos to you. You are awesome young people with bright futures ahead of you, and we’re very proud of you.”
Best Buddies is an international non-profit organization with chapters world-wide. Its goals are promoting inclusion by creating lasting friendships between individuals living with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At WHS, students can take Leadership 20 or 30 as an elective in their Grade 11 and 12 years. This class partners with students in the Functionally Integrated Life Skills class. They meet daily to learn about different leadership styles and skills, and to develop an understanding of living in an inclusive world.
The class also creates a positive space in the school through window painting, surprise messages to staff and students, lunch hour gatherings and other events.
The result is that students become more understanding and compassionate.