Inclusion

St Francis Xavier School believes that students with disabilities can be educated in the regular classroom environment. Enrollment is determined through a discernment process carefully considering each individual's needs in the context of our community's resources. The following illustrates efforts the school has made to educate the community on the mutual benefits of inclusion.

PA Inclusion presentation.pdf

Inclusion at St Francis Xavier School

St Francis Xavier school, founded on Jesuit principles, educates students in mind, body, and spirit. The school believes in inclusion, which means students with disabilities are educated in the classroom alongside peers without disabilities. Our desire is to make sure that students with disabilities have the same opportunities as their siblings. To us inclusion simply means families stay together.

Inclusion benefits the entire community. Students with disabilities reach for higher expectations, learn important social skills from their peers, create friendships, and understand their value as a member of the school. Students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms show academic gains in a number of areas, including improved performance on standardized tests, mastery of IEP goals, grades, on-task behavior and motivation to learn (National Center for Education Restructuring and Inclusion, 1995). Peers learn to be more compassionate, understand better their gifts and how to appreciate them, as well as develop patience, empathy, and acceptance. Teachers that have students with disabilities in their class express how their overall teaching has improved and their ability to differentiate increases, which benefits all students.

St Francis Xavier school believes that families should not experience a financial burden in order for their child to receive a Jesuit education. We are hopeful that others share this vision and will help alleviate the financial burden of our families through donations and sponsorship. Currently, we have the capacity to educate students with mild disabilities. We need financial support to best serve those students with more significant needs. The funding would go toward providing additional support personnel on staff, evaluations, professional development, tutoring and other supplemental therapies.

Part of Ignatian philosopy is the gift of discernment. In order to follow the law of natural proportions, St Francis Xavier School carefully considers each individual's needs in the context of our community's resources. Through a thoughtful discernment process, looking at the needs of the child and the school's readiness to receive, enrollment will be determined.

As a Jesuit institution we believe in acceptance of all, presuming goodwill, and meeting children and families where they are at. Through partnership with all stakeholders we strive to help every child meet his or her full potential.

Inclusion is Loving

St Francis Xavier School has always included children with disabilities, such as ADHD or Dyslexia. But this year, we embark on a greater mission: to include those students with more significant disabilities like Down Syndrome and Autism. We knew that children with significant disabilities should not be forced to attend a different school than their siblings. We knew that Pope Francis calls us to be inclusive of our brothers and sisters with disabilities as they are gifts to the family. We knew that Catholic Social Teaching tells us it is a just society that does not push people with disabilities to the margins. But what we are learning is how we ALL are better when we are inclusive. We asked a room full of teachers, parents, students, and staff to state how their child without disabilities can benefit from learning alongside someone with a significant challenge. I was told our children will grow in joy and peace. They will gain friendships that wouldn’t have been possible. We will be more accepting and tolerant. Our children, our teachers, and our community will grow in love and gratitude. Fr Pedro Arrupe tells us to “fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.” Inclusion is love.

Prayer for Inclusion

by Bella Leonard, SFX '19

As we settle our hearts for prayer today, we think about inclusion. Inclusion is defined as, ”The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.” God calls us to do more than simply act upon that definition. We are called to be inclusive of others and promote inclusivity to the greater community. Inclusivity calls us to open up our social spectrums to new people. However, this also calls us to open up our social spectrums to adults and especially children with disabilities. Throughout the world we inadvertently denigrate the term disability. God continually calls us to accept each other for our differences as our differences are what make us unique. God made us the way we are and loves us for exactly who we are. God calls us to perceive our differences as an opportunity to grow as people. We as stewards of the community must do the little, seemingly negligible steps to promote inclusivity throughout the community.

How can we redefine the term disability in a positive light? Where specifically does God call you to become more inclusive? How will you promote inclusion to others?

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, guide us towards inclusivity. Allow us to see our differences as uniqueness and use our own differences to create a beneficial environment for others. Help us to approach hindrances and to surpass fear and our own ambivalence. Guide us to strive towards inclusivity in everything we do and to do what is right for the betterment of others. Allow us to be the light at the end of the tunnel.

Amen.

Report abuse