GATES BEST BUDDIES
Gates Best Buddies 2023-24
PARENT REGISTRATION for Students BEGINS late October - Date TBD
Maximum Registrations = 100
Purpose of Program:
Gates Best Buddies enhances a caring and compassionate school community that practices inclusion, involvement, peer assistance and acceptance of differences. Interested students will apply for the program below through an online parent registration. Members will attend training programs and in-school activities throughout the year plus additional field trips and activities after school. (In-school activities and field trips will return once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted). Instruction emphasizes the following areas: inclusion, disability training and social thinking development skills. Officially, there is no label of who are the “mentors” and who are the “mentees”; all students participate alongside each other. CORSE has taken the traditional Best Buddies model and expanded into a more comprehensive training program for teens along with generalization activities in the community for socialization. Rather than only have one buddy, students have the ability to form multiple relationships within groups in various settings.
APPLICATION PROCESS
WITHOUT THE PARENT REGISTRATION, THE STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE A SPOT.
We will meet for scheduled MONDAY lunches and THURSDAY after-school activities at 2:45pm with end time based on event), with the opportunity to participate in additional activities with dates TBD.
Application Process -
WITHOUT THE PARENT REGISTRATION, THE STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE A SPOT.
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Step 1: PARENT Required to Complete On-line Registration at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=opyuf6cab&oeidk=a07eglr7i4gbd9db216
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Step 2: STUDENT must submit a handwritten student motivation form (see link below) explaining why he/she wants to be a part of Best Buddies. If a child is on an IEP or has difficulty writing, he/she can talk to the program instructors: Heidi Branca, Meredith Hilditch, Nancy Driscoll or Rick English. These forms are also available in the Gates Main Office and should be returned there. Deadline for student form to be submitted is October 15.
Applicant decision process is administered by Gates Staff Advisors. Any questions can be directed to Heidi Branca, Nancy Driscoll, Rick English or Meredith Hilditch.
Links: