District program in running for prize
<p>Sandpoint Middle School teacher Sarah Gregory and her students encourage residents to vote for Lake Pend Oreille School District in the UCT Gives Back campaign. (Courtesy photo)</p>
SANDPOINT — A few quick clicks from county residents could be worth $10,000 for local special needs educators.
Lake Pend Oreille School District teachers are on the short list in a contest that could provide a major boost in special needs funding. Organized by UCT, an Ohio-based insurance nonprofit, the UCT Gives Back Again campaign will provide two top schools with prizes — $10,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place — to use on educational programs.
“As of (Monday), voting went live, and we’ll be in competition with other schools until March,” said Lisa Barth, one of the campaign coordinators.
Sandpoint Middle School and other local special needs classes will require local help to bring home the big prize. To participate, you’ll need to have an existing Facebook account or create a new one. Go to the UCT Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UCTinAction/ and click on the “Gives Back Again” tab at the top of the page. Alternatively, visit local nonprofit Team Autism 24/7 at www.teamautism247.com for a direct link. From there, simply select the Sandpoint Middle School video, click “vote” and you’re good to go.
Of course, why vote only once when you can tally several for the school district? Luckily, each account is permitted one vote per day, so check back each day to submit more votes. Voting will run until March 14.
Designed for schools with educational programs for physically or mentally disabled students, the UCT Gives Back campaign challenged participating schools to create videos representing their classroom.
Special needs teachers joined forces with local nonprofit Team Autism 24/7 to produce a video with the help of professional videographer Nels Chick.
The result is a polished two-minute clip that combines interviews with in-classroom footage and some classic moments with students.
The extra effort was worthwhile, because LPOSD’s submission was one of 10 finalists throughout the United States and Canada to reach the final contest phase.
With a little help from the community, teachers like Sarah Gregory of Sandpoint Middle School believe that the local program has a great chance of taking home the grand prize.
If local schools do secure one of the prizes, teachers aim to expand the special needs program with professional development opportunities and an adaptive curriculum.
Because special needs students can have any number of challenges, including communication difficulties, cognitive impairments, sensory or mobility impediments and more, teachers need a system that can conform to individual needs. Winning the UCT Gives Back contest will go a long way to achieving those goals, teachers said.