PHILLIPSBURG, NJ — Phillipsburg High School in New Jersey hosts an annual Inclusion Week as a way to help students believe in the good in the world and ensure that every student feels seen, heard and valued.
“I think it’s so important. I think it’s so important for them to see that they matter. Regardless of their differences, they get to feel like they’re in the spotlight for a week,” said student Amanda Rapel. “Which is so good for self-confidence and self-esteem, I think it’s important.”
“Inclusion week means opening yourself up to meeting new people that you wouldn’t normally meet,” added student Julia Buttitta.
Inclusion Week events, like a red carpet and a big basketball game, dominate the school calendar and the hallways, where it feels like everyone is involved.
“It means a lot because they honestly look up to us and see us as inspiration, so they want to follow our steps,” senior Wanda Brown said.
“It’s really hard to put into words, it just happened organically. The building feels lighter this week, everyone is happy, and I think it’s equally meaningful for all the students,” said student Karen Stengl. “Our students with and without disabilities, we’re bringing them all together to unite them, to give them as many inclusive opportunities as possible this week.”
The Peer Buddies program is the centerpiece of the week. The 300 fully integrated special education students enrolled are each paired with a peer buddy, and spend all day every day together as a team, bonded by their admiration for each other.
“It’s the highlight of my year, and everyone here just has the best time, and it makes everyone so happy,” said student Ellie Galusha, whose buddy Emily Smith added it means “a lot.”
As you walk the halls of the school, there are signs – some subtle and some not – reminding students to always choose kindness. From every corner, to the classroom door, to a kindness chain hanging above the entrance, kindness and compassion line the walls.
“It’s very special. It’s a time to meet someone new, experience something different and hopefully have a life-changing experience,” said student Marvelous Shabi.
“I get to spend time with Manny, who I knew before, but some students don’t know Manny, and I get the chance to introduce Manny to other students so he can make more friends just like me,” said student Madison Holloway .
“Honestly, it was just incredible,” added student Manny McPherson.
The idea came about after the pandemic to bring kids together again, and has since grown into a groundswell of good.
From red carpet events to Peer Buddies and musical theater, they’re in it all together.
‘We are better together, right? That’s kind of the motto,” said principal Kyle Rovi. “They buy into what we sell, and that’s great for the school.”
Excitement is growing for the Unified Basketball Game
Students look forward to Inclusion Week all year, but it’s the penultimate event – the Unified Basketball Game – that is on everyone’s minds all week.
“We have like the big one where everyone comes to watch us at the end of the day,” said student Patrick Leeper. “There’s a party in the cafeteria where there’s music and food, and everyone’s just enjoying the time and celebrating.”
“The basketball game, that’s my favorite part of the year. Just playing, seeing them have fun, just having the crowd cheering them on, they love it,” said junior Matthew Scerbo.
Do they ever do that? The students couldn’t stop talking about the exciting event: from the crowd and the atmosphere to the shots captured.
And of course you can’t have a great game without an afterparty. For the Stateliners it will be the reward for a well-played match and a job well done.
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