NORTH BRUNSWICK – The energy emanating from Steve Libro Field at North Brunswick Township High School during adaptive field day was electrifying.
Student athletes partnered with 35 students across the four adaptive learning classes – two ASD (autism spectrum disorder) programs and two age 18-21 transition programs – for a fun-filled day of five stations – volleyball, parachute, games, beach ball and water/snacks – and finishing off with relay races and a dance off on May 24.
“We had two student athletes per sport represent for their teams,” said Mike Cipot, supervisor of physical education/health for K-12.
During the relay races, students from the high school filled the bleachers to cheer the adaptive learning students on.
Cipot and Physical Education teacher Billy Ballard said the adaptive field day has been a couple years in the making.
“It’s a way to help the learning center and provide positive energy for the school,” Cipot said, adding the student athletes enjoyed coming together to help the adaptive students.
Ballard said the 35 students in the adaptive learning classes have been practicing the various stations and relay races during their PE classes.
Cipot and Ballard hope the inaugural adaptive field day can become a tradition for years to come.
“Our goal is not just to continue at the high school, but to make it a district-wide event for elementary, middle and high school levels,” Ballard said.
Cipot said the adaptive field day would not happen without the collaboration of all the teachers, child study teams, and all the assistants in the classes.
