By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Wednesday was truly a “special” day for a group of Union City Schools students at the Obion County Fair.
Nearly 50 special needs youths from the three campuses of UC Schools along with those from Obion County Schools and other special needs organizations enjoyed a day of rides, the petting zoo and a trip through the exhibit building and booths, courtesy of the OC Fair.
The UC contingent – which included students from the elementary, middle and high school — is part of the school system’s Tornado RISE program.
Tornado RISE addresses communication skills and special needs students’ abilities to function in society.
RISE (Reaching Independence through Structured Environment) students happily enjoyed a great deal of what the OC Fair had to offer Wednesday, ignoring the hot conditions in a stay that lasted well over four hours.
“It’s something our students have learned to look forward to every year, and they begin asking about the next year almost as soon as this year is over,” said UC Special Education Coordinator Laney Rogers, who also serves as the system’s pre-school coordinator and federal projects coordinator.
“We want our students to be able to interact socially and to be able to communicate with other people in society. We want them to be able to be comfortable with the little mannerly things, like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ ‘yes-ma’am’ and ‘no-ma’am,’ and even simple things like asking for directions or taking instructions.
“Tornado RISE has been hugely instrumental in helping us teach those things,” she said.
One of the day’s highlights came when a group of high school students in Regina Turner’s class learned they’d won first-place blue ribbons for making homemade pie crusts and both chess and pecan pies.
Ms. Turner said the idea to have the students participate came from Pat Bobo, and that the girls in the class made the crusts for both kinds of pies, before the girls prepared the chess pies and the boys in the class the pecan entry.
The group raced to find out if they’d won and celebrated gleefully when finding out they indeed had.
It marked the third consecutive year the fair association graciously opened up the midway to special education students and home-schooled youths.
A handful of Union City High School students partnered with several special education teachers and educational aides to help oversee and accompany the large party of students Wednesday – many of whom wore UC spirit wear or Purple and Gold attire.
“It really takes special individuals to do what our teachers do,” Ms. Rogers said. “This is what they see every day in their classrooms, and they love on these kids and do a wonderful job and teaching them and encouraging them to grow to heights they may not think they can achieve.
“And it always warms my heart to see the high school students interacting with the RISE kids.”
RISE rewards students for progress and good behavior in each nine weeks grading period with special perks and positive steps, including numerous field trips and dining experiences.
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