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NOV. 15, 2024— A group of Intermediate School classrooms recently teamed up to promote an inclusive trick-or-treating experience for their classmates.

Ms. Gagliano’s Opportunities With Language (OWL) class launched the unique project in early October as a wayt to students to communicate students who communicate in different ways.

Collaborating with teachers Ms. Cobb, Ms. Reale, Mr. Wahl, and Ms. Moquin, Ms. Gagliano’s students worked alongside their peers, using speech-generating devices and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) boards. These tools help individuals express thoughts and feelings, bridging communication gaps.

"Trick or treating is about community and getting everybody out in the community," Gagliano said. "It's about neighbors, it's about connecting,  and I wanted my students to have the same opportunity."

Gagliano oversaw a similar project at the Primary School last year.

This year's project culminated with Gagliano's students dressing up and trick-or-treating between classrooms throughout the school. Using their devices, Ms. Gagliano’s students successfully practiced asking for candy, which helped build confidence and communication skills.

Her students also stopped by both the Nurse's and Main Offices.

Gagliano said she first approach Reale about the project, and Reale was quick to accept the opportunity.

"I thought this would be a great opportunity for all of my students," Ms. Reale said. "Students like those in [Ms.Gagliano's] classroom exist all throughout our world, and by providing [my students] with an opportunity to learn about [her students] and interact with them, we're making the world a better place."

The initiative also prepared Gagliano for trick-or-treating in their communities on Halloween night. An experience Gagliano called a success.

The collaborative project not only spread Halloween cheer but also promoted understanding and inclusion among students. We spoke to Violet and Mariela, two of Reale's students. Both told us they enjoyed connecting with Gagliano's class, and even took the opportunity to communicate with them beyond the project.

"I hang out with them a lot, actually," Mariela said. "I get to know their names, it's really nice to hang out with them and make them feel like they belong."

According to Reale and Gagliano, they hope to partner on another inclusive project down the road.

"The adults that have helped me with this project have really shown how to model for their students what empathy and compassion really means," Gagliano said. "We need to be kind, no matter who the person is, no matter who the child is. It's just it's really really wonderful to see."