Cadette Girl Scout Troop 50078 members visited Middle Gate Elementary School on October 6 to offer a lesson on inclusivity to kindergarten students.

All members of Troop 50078 are Reed Intermediate School students, and the visit to Middle Gate was part of a Bronze Award project the troop finished this past summer.

“I’m really proud of them. They’ve really done all parts of the work,” said troop co-leader Gina Musumeci before the event at Middle Gate. Karen Mangino is the troop’s other co-leader.

The troop members have been working on earning the Bronze Award for two years, Musumeci shared. The group focused efforts on increasing inclusivity for children with mobility differences.

Part of the troop’s efforts over the years included fundraising to support the recent installation of a new inclusive playground at Dickinson Memorial Park, and meeting with local officials and a local doctor to learn more about buildings, regulations, and causes for some mobility differences.

“They’ve done a lot,” said Musumeci.

As the final effort for the award, the troop created a lesson for kindergarten students about inclusivity for students with mobility differences. Before presenting the lesson, the Girl Scouts also wrote a letter to Middle Gate Principal Chris Geissler and Newtown Superintendent of Schools Chris Melillo.

They also wrote a letter to Middle Gate parents explaining the lesson, and worked with Middle Gate school counselor Melissa Arsenault to prep the lesson.

Members of the troop are Isabella Ribeiro, Leah Mangino, Hope Venezia, Katie Dunn, Makayla Ile, Allison Estes, and Zoe Giordano.

Musumeci said she is “so proud” of how the Troop 50078 members embraced the effort.

Education Editor Eliza Van can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.