Middle Gate RRD Club Hosts Difference Day

By Eliza Hallabeck

From learning how to write their name in brail to learning how to maneuver around an obstacle course while blindfolded, fourth grade students at Middle Gate Elementary School learned new ways to view the world Friday, May 29, when the school’s Respect, Responsibility and Celebration of Diversity Club hosted Difference Day in the school’s gymnasium.

“We’re here to see the differences in other people and see how they deal with them,” said fourth grade student Michaela Richmond as she learned how to write her name using brail.

RRD Club advisors Ginny Chion and Dawn Barrett put the day together with the help of Melinda Samha and Melanie Kasparek.

Different stations set up around the gymnasium had students learn through games, tools, and experience throughout the day.

“I’m trying to build a car,” said fourth grade student Austin Kasbarin, while wearing gloves and attempting to place pieces together to form a car. “To see what other people can do with differences.”

At the Sensory Integration Station students tried to follow directions about what to draw while being distracted by sounds from headsets. At another table students played a card game with members of Abilities Beyond Disabilities. And at another table students tried to replicate a drawing while looking at it reversed in a mirror.