2nd Fall/Halloween Special Needs Dance Party
The Memorial Staff had their first Halloween Dance for our students with disabilities in the Fall of 2020. However, with so many things placed on hold the past year due to COVID, we could not host this special dance last year. In late August of 2021, the idea was again proposed and our administration team gave us the opportunity to hold this dance once again!
The idea came about after attending a couple of our neighboring school dances these past few years designated for those students with disabilities, including Eastlake Middle School Valentine’s Day Dance and Perry High School Luau Dance.
Some of our students do not get the opportunity to attend after school dances or get out trick or treating, so why not have a dance party where they can dance, dress up in their favorite costume and to participate in a variety of activities.
This year's dance consisted of over 120 guests from surrounding neighboring schools in Lake County. Our guests were from Eastlake Middle, Willoughby Middle, Perry High and Middle School, Mentor High and Shore Middle School.
We not only had a rocking dance floor, but provided 7 other activity stations which were guided by our P.E. students that would normally have class during that certain period. The Multiple Disabilities Units and P.E. teachers joined forces to engage all students that would have P.E. classes during these certain times to participate in different stations to help guide students with disabilities to interact with a variety of activities. The stations consisted of students receiving water bottles, Halloween crafts, tattoos, bean bag toss, coloring, witches ring toss, photo props booth, and dancing. Our P.E. students were actively engaged helping and participating with all students.
Not only did we have amazing help within our own building from our students, but we have had great sponsorship from our community and staff members. Without the generous donations this dance would not have been possible! Thank you to the following:
Memorial Staff: with donating candy, water, chips, and monetary donations so we could buy decorations and any other necessary items needed for our dance. DJ Tommy Dwyer for taking the time and making sure the dance floor was rocking! Meijer Supermarket on Mentor Ave, Store Director, Randy Sullivan was very generous and donated a $100.00 gift card so we could purchase Halloween Cookies and extra individual chip bags. Mike Toth, the owner of Toth’s Place, donated more than 200 chicken tenders and side sauces for dipping.
Marco's PIzza in Painesville, donated 10 sheet pizzas.
MMS Cafe made their homemade macaroni and cheese to please the rest of our crowd, which was a cheesy hit!
John Sage of Sages Apples Fruit Farm & Market on 11355 Chardon Rd, Chardon Ohio 44024, donated more than 40 small pumpkins/gourds so the students could decorate them and take them home! Our Memorial PTA Angie Weber and Karen Kennedy for popping over 130+ bags of popcorn for our guests!
This was a very successful dance and we couldn’t have done it without all the sponsors, supports, and most importantly our guests!