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Blog Become a member News Baldwin High School – Baldwin City, KS
Program: Mardi Gras Diversity Day
The Special Education department at Baldwin High School in Baldwin City, Kansas, has developed their own Promising Practice called Mardi Gras Diversity Day. It is a day full of activities involving the entire student body, faculty, and community members. Special education students from area high schools are invited to participate as well.
The day begins with an all-school assembly with a guest speaker talking about an area of disability. Over the years these special guests have included a dance troupe with Down syndrome, a wheelchair basketball team, a parent of a student with autism, and a disability lawyer with a visual impairment. Afterward, there are crafts, games, and other activities led by student volunteers. All participants are also treated to a Cajun-style lunch, in honor of Mardi Gras. In 2012, special recognition was given to local employers who had hired disabled employees. Mardi Gras Diversity Day ends with a parade around the school led by the school band.
Two principles from CEP’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education are highlighted in this Promising Practice: creating a caring community, and engaging families and community members as partners.
The Character Education Partnership (CEP) created the Promising Practices program to foster school improvement by providing a proven framework, professional feedback, and models of excellence. To find out more and apply to receive a Promising Practices award for the 2012-2013 school year, visit www.character.org/schools-of-character/promising-practices-overview/ Applications are due March 17.