By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Members of Union City Schools’ widely-acclaimed Tornado RISE program have been on the move throughout the 2024-25 school year.
With the aid of the UCSS and helped greatly by the financial generosity of Jenkins Motors, Jiffy Steamer, and Teresa Hutchison, the group of special needs students have enjoyed multiple educational field trips during the past several months.
Among the trips taken were visits to the Obion County Fair, Talon Falls, Southlane Bowling Center, Thelma’s Skateland, Discovery Park of America, Safari Park, and the Obion County Public Library.
The regular excursions became a favorite of RISE (Reaching Independence through Structured Environment) students, who were rewarded for progress and good behavior as they continued to address communication skills and the abilities needed to function in our society.
Students from Union City Elementary, UC Middle School, and UCHS were all part of the Purple and Gold contingent to enjoy the experiences. The group was accompanied by several teachers, educational assistants, and a handful of UCHS senior chaperones on the trips.
Laney Rogers – who serves as the school system’s Special Education Coordinator and works extensively with RISE lead teacher Cristina King, said the experiences fit well with the overall objectives of the program.
“Above all else, our administration and staff are driven to ensure our students learn the necessary skills and have the tools to become independent and responsible in society,” Rogers said.
“The simple things that many of us take for granted are the program’s main focus. Functioning with others, being able to communicate, and being respectful and responsible in a group setting are wonderful opportunities for them to learn.
“We at Union City Schools are blessed to have the support of the administration as we navigate through this process.”
An end-of-the-picnic was the final group gathering for the RISE students recently, with several planning on participating in Special Olympics activities on Friday.