RISE Students Enjoy Their Day At Obion County Fair

 

By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Wednesday was a whole lot better than simply a “pretty fair” day for members of Tornado RISE.
It was a GREAT day!
Between 50 and 60 special needs students from Union City School System were treated to a day of rides, food and fun at the Obion County Fair, courtesy of the OC Fair Board.
RISE (Reaching Independence through Structured Environment) is a program in the Union City School System that addresses communication skills and special needs students’ abilities to function in society.
“Our goal is for them to be the best version of themselves that they can be,” 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 and communicate with other people in society – little things like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ ‘yes ma’am’ and ‘yes sir,’ and even simple things like asking for directions or taking instruction.
“We want them to be able to interact socially.”
It marked the second year the fair association graciously opened up the midway to special education students from UCES as well as those from Obion County and the local Adult Learning Center. Home-school students were also a part of the day’s festivities, which included lunch provided by Twin Oaks Technology.
Students from Union City Elementary, UC Middle School and UCHS were all part of the Purple and Gold contingent to enjoy the fair experience.
Rogers had three special ed teachers, five educational assistants and a handful of Union City High School seniors to partner with her Wednesday to help oversee and accompany her large party of students.
“Watching the seniors interact with our students is especially rewarding for me,” she said. “This is the world our teachers live in. It takes special individuals to do what they do.
“And with this being the second year that RISE students got to come to the fair, it was neat to hear some of the kids talk about being excited to go back this year.”
RISE rewards students for progress and good behavior in each nine-weeks grading period with field trips to Discovery Park of America and Tennessee Safari Park and eating-out experiences at area restaurants examples of such past perks.
Photos by Mike Hutchens