Dennis M. WalcottChancellor

Laura RodriguezDeputy Chancellor

Division of Students with DisabilitiesAnd English Language Learners

Shael Polakow-SuranskyChief Academic Officer

Thank You For Joining Us To Celebrate Inclusion!

This book showcases the talent and creativity of

students attending New York City Department

of Education schools. Participating students

responded to the question, “How does inclusion

make my school great?” A variety of

submissions were received: watercolors,

essays, poems, etc. Each piece tells a unique

story and teaches us the value of including all

children.

The Division of Students with Disabilities and

English Language Learners together with

Parents for Inclusive Education would like to

extend a special thank you to those whose

support, generosity, and spirit made this event

possible:

AHRC New York City

Baruch College, The City University of New York John Malatesta

Bronx High School for the Visual Arts

George York, Ed.D. Teresa Bologna Marlon Sanchez

I Am Norm

NYChessKids

Plant NYC

1

Celebrating Inclusion

Milagro Sanchez Grade 7

2

Rintaro MoriGrade 9Rintaro Mori

Revived

This feeling, is the feeling of peace

Harmony, the sunshine and the cool wind surrounds me

I have awakened into a new world, I have never felt so alive

This is the feeling of love, but it’s also the feeling of my revival

I have reborn into a world of peace and prosperity

The world I am now living in is paradise

I am glad that I have been revived.

3

811Q@222Q

Nicholas BisoondialGrade 4

Inclusion

I have nice teachers

N ever done

C are about everyone in my school

L ove to play with my friends

U nderstanding

S it and read with my teachers

I will never forget this school!

O h! What a nice school!

N eed to be together?

Grade 2

4

5

Why Inclusion makes my school great

Brooklyn Studio Secondary School

6

7

Celebrate Inclusion

I am the darker brother!

At home they think I am a trouble maker.

At my school I can be me.

Even though I am just a regular kid with an IEP

My school lets me succeed,

By participating in everything!

Jacob Norfleet Grade 7

Jacob NorfleetGrade 7

Adriel PayanoGrade 2

Lyarra TorresGrade 2

8

A Special Place

South, NorthEast & WestAll children

Come to do their best

Children of the worldCome to our school

We’re different peopleIn one big pool

Some in wheelchairs,Some are not

We’re a canvas of colorWe’re a melting pot

We are a rainbowIn this sky we share

Two schools come togetherAn inclusive pair

Though we are differentYet we are the same

Students with disabilitiesShould never be ashamed

We are two schools In one communityWe work together

In respect and unity

Javon EsdailleGrade 5

9

Class 5-338PS 102Q

IS 123XGrade 8

Inclusion

In my class 5-338

No one ever has to wait

Cause our teachers and our friends

Lend a hand now and then

Understanding who we all are

So we can reach our inner star

In our class of differences

Only one is not the best

Never leave out all t rest

10

Razia SultanaGrade 8

Bryan StromerGrade 10

Razia Sultana

11

DisabilityDisability

What a strong wordI most certainly have abilities

So why am I labeled disabled?While I may walk different from you

Do not look down on meFor I have Strengths

You may choose to focus on my weaknessesBut please don’t

I ask you to simply respect MeAnd I ask you to simply include me

For we are not so different

12

Adriana BaezGrade 6

Chaudhary RajBalaGrade 3

Lorri Ann JosephGrade 9

Do Not Exclude Us

13

Class 7C Collaboration Poem

It’s two thousand and eleven.We are hard at work twenty-four seven.We are class 7C, and we have Ms. GIt’s the way to be,We are talented like “Glee.”

Now let’s not forget Mr. Harel,He also helps us excel.We are always in the loop,Because we like to work within a group.

Our class is specialBecause we feature many teachers.We thrive on collaborationWithout any hesitation.We are a nationBecause we work to get satisfaction.

When we’re combined,We are defined to be one of a kind.There is no one likes us,That you can trust.

We are uniqueSince we have technique.We are sleek,So do not fleeBecause you know that we are a family.

Class 7CPS 226K

14

Sam Grant Alexis LangomasGrade 8

Sam Grant

15

16

Maegan RamosGrade 8

How Does Inclusive Education Make My School Great?

Armani Deans Abigal AgyemanGrade 4

Class Project PS 176XClass Project

My Thoughts on Inclusion

I am different and so are you and so are inclusion childrenYou are good at some things and I can be good at things too.Together, we help our school. Celivette said, “Inclusion is good because thechildren get to watch us and they learn.” Faith said, “Inclusion kids are learningthings from us.” Courtney said, “We learn from each other.”

17

Class ProjectIS 302K

Class ProjectPS 86QClass ProjectClass Project

Class ProjectClass Project

18

Thomas MclnerneyGrade 11

19

Amoako BuachieGrade 12Amoako Buachie

Jorge MelendezGrade 9

20

Cris LeynesGrade 9

I’m thankful for my inclusion teacher.

21

B

Shaitoria BrelansGrade 4

Erin RoseGrade 8

22

Gisselle BarreroGrade 8

Ashley TirosGrade 3

Gisselle Barrero

Being in Inclusion

It is special to be in a class with two teachers because it feels like a family. Ms. Cutri tells jokes and makes us laugh. When you need help and you are in a wheelchair, someone will always be there!

A time in my class I remember, was when Ms Cutri changed my chair to be closer to others that could help me with reading, spelling and writing. The people in my school help me a lot. When I cry, they fix it! I used to talk very low, but now I talk loud. Ms Winters and Ms. Cutri let me come upstairs at lunch and we play games. I feel safe and happy with my two teachers. I feel included!

23

Crystal MirandaGrade 8

Special Child

This is a song for the special child

Sing it sweetly, for the song is sad

Sing it sweetly, as you possibly can.

Less the song gets out of hand.

This special child struggles so much

Some kids say she’s different

As she steps out of the elevator

And some say she’s too slow to learn.

But some kids are mean, some are nice

And some are sweet like sugar and spice.

This special child doesn’t fuss with the mess.

But she cries so much when all alone.

She yearns to be like everybody else,

But she knows deep in her heart that

One day greatness will come

To this special child!

24

Gerald RiveraGrade 10

25

Erica StephenGrade 10

Jason VasquezGrade 10

26

Rayquon FrazerGrade 11

Treyvon RobertsGrade 11

27

Jennifer PadillaGrade 9

Jennifer GonzalezGrade 9

28

Emmanuel AbreuGrade 10

Quinton NegronGrade 9

29

Jason RosarioGrade 9

Dasan EppsGrade 9

30

Angel DeJesusGrade 9

Quinton NegronGrade 9

31

Jason RosarioGrade 9

John MejiasGrade 9

32

Kids’ dream to make the city Green

You can be a part of this tree too! We need your helpto make this place a cleaner place tolive!

CleanerAir

HealthierLife

ComePlantWithUs

75Q811 811Q@13675Q811 811Q@222Q21K226 Alfred De B. Mason21K216 Arturo Toscanini27Q104 Baywater11X418 Bronx High School of the Visual Arts21K690 Brooklyn Studio Secondary School27Q062 Chester Park17K600 Clara Barton High School29Q095 Eastwood24Q014 Fairview31R075 Frank D. Paulo School30Q501 Frank Sinatra School of the Arts31R022 Graniteville02M041 Greenwich Village 06M052 Inwood08X123 James M. Kieran04M057 James Weldon Johnson24Q721 John F. Kennedy Jr. School20K220 John J. Pershing02M077 Lower Lab School27Q215 Lucretia Mott21K209 Margaret Meade24Q199 Maurice A. Fitzgerald18K285 Meyer Levin Middle School19K214 Michael Friedsam02M418 Millenmium High School02M412 New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies75X721 P 721 X@Stephen D. McSweeney School30Q280 P. S. 28020K102 P.S. 102K-The Bayview

Thank you to all the schools who submitted work to celebrate inclusion!

24Q102 P.S. 102Q-Bayview10X226 P.S. 22675Q233 P.S. 233@Queens Metropolitan High School75K370 P.S. 370K@Jim Thorpe32K376 P.S. 37610X396 P.S. 39628Q086 P.S. 8675X176 P176X@P178X75R25 P25R@IS7575R373 P373@P861

P373R@P58R75K396 P396K75K721 P721K@Roy Campanella OTC

P75Q@P239Q811X P811X@Bronx High School of Visual Arts

75Q009 P9Q@ 20917K191 Paul Roberson

27Q170Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School

75K009 PS9@MS202Q19K302 Rafael Cordero20K170 Ralph A. Fabrizio27Q705 Renaissance Charter School29Q038 Rosedale06M218 Salome Urena School11X178 Selman Waxman08X375 The Bronx Mathematics Preparatory School10X304 The Early Childhood School721R The Hungerford School

10X023 The New Children's School21K101 The Verrazano31R455 Tottenville12X186 Walter J. Damrosch

Celebrate Inclusion Planning Committee Members

Division of Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners

Amy Liszt, Ed.D. Paula Magdalena

Hector Uribe Ann Anesta

Kimberly Ramones

Parents for Inclusive Education

Jaclyn Okin Barney Christopher Treiber

Beverly Ellman Nora Cohen

Cover art by: Milagro Sanchez Grade 7

Accompanying essay written by student appears on pages 1-2.