FPS staff report
March 9, 2010
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| DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MONTH PROCLAIMED. Carroll County Commissioners proclaimed March as Developmental Disabilities Month in Carroll County. Theme for the month-long celebration is “Just Like You.” Those on hand for the ceremonial signing are shown above. Seated from left are Commissioner Larry Garner, Carroll Hills preschooler Zackary Glaser and Commissioner Tom Wheaton. Standing behind are DD Superintendent Matt Campbell, Carroll Hills student John Evans, Workshop enrollee Jeremy Glekler and Carroll Hills Director of Education Alicia Hall. |
“Just Like You” is the theme for this year’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
In observance of the event, the Carroll Hills programs and other related organizations throughout Ohio are inviting the public to consider the true meaning of this year’s theme - “Just Like You”.
Statewide and across the nation organizations devoted to serving individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) are holding special events this month to raise public awareness of the many abilities people have, regardless of disability.
“Just Like You” encourages people to bring diversity to their communities by welcoming people with disabilities into local neighborhoods, work places, houses of worship and schools.
“This is a time when the Carroll Hills program focuses on encouraging the public to better understand the individuals we serve,” says Diana Strawder, DD Month chairperson for the Carroll Hills program.
“During DD Awareness Month, we encourage people to learn more about the approximately 200 people in Carroll County who have disabilities that our agency serves. We’d like people in our community to see our individuals for their abilities, what all they can offer to society, as opposed to only focusing on the handicap,” she added.
To encourage community interaction, the Carroll Hills Cougars, Carroll Hills’ Special Olympics basketball team, are playing several games against a variety of area organizations.
The first two games on March 1 and 4 involved the Carrollton Village Fire Department and staffs of the Carroll Hills program and St. John’s Villa. The Carroll County sheriff’s department played a game with the Cougars March 10.
The staff from St. John’s Villa will play the Cougars at a rematch March 31. Other upcoming games are March 16 with the Amish and March 17 with Carrollton Rotary Club. All games begin at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public.
Other special activities scheduled at Carroll Hills school this month include “My Favorite Person Day (scheduled by individual teachers), Teacher of the Day and Lunch with the Principal.
Carroll Hills School is also planning a movie day for March 11 and a game day March 29. “Miss Marcia” from the Carroll County District Library will entertain the students by conducting a reading and story time March 25.
Carroll Hills Industries, located on N. High St. in Carrollton, will host a musical program March 18, plus a pizza and movie day March 24. To end the month on a special note at Carroll Hills Industries, a DJ will provide some lively music March 20 while everyone enjoys ice cream sundaes.
Other activities planned for the balance of the month at all three Carroll Hills facilities, include a program wide, Family & Friend Bowling sessions March 15 and 22. Carroll Hills Idol, a talent show for enrollees will be held March 17 at 1 p.m. in the Carroll Hills School gym.
A St. Patrick Day dance, sponsored by Carrollton Rotary Club, is scheduled for March 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. for every one enrolled in the Carroll Hills program.
Another event that can be enjoyed by the entire community is a free concert featuring the Heavenly Metal Steel Drum band Saturday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in the Carroll Hills School gym located on SR 9, north of Carrollton.
During the Cougar’s St. John’s Villa rematch basketball game, School Supt. Matt Campbell will be slimed by participants who collected a pre-determined amount of box tops and Campbell soup labels.
The DD Awareness Month activities will culminate March 23 with the annual Carroll Hills program awards and recognition dinner a 6 p.m. at the Day’s Inn in Carrollton.
During the dinner, staff members will be recognized for service to the Carroll Hills programs for 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years. In addition, the following will be presented: Outstanding Business/Industry Support Award, Outstanding Service Award, Helen Eick Outstanding Volunteer Award, and Helen Eick Outstanding Employee award.
The newest award, now in its third year, is the Personal Achievement award which will be presented to a child or adult with developmental disabilities who has persevered and achieved in a specific area such as community employment, independent living, music and art, education, recreation or community involvement.
During Carroll County’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the public is urged to get acquainted with someone who has a developmental disability. |
