Seven girls at Sea Gate Elementary School in Naples are spreading the word about kindness and inclusion. They started the Sea Gate Elementary Ability Club to help make sure every child feels welcome and included.
“We noticed there were a couple of kids in our school that were being left out, and we wanted to make a difference,” said Ansley Brown.
How did the Sea Gate Elementary Ability Club begin?
The girls began the club as fourth graders and continued it the following school year in fifth grade. They focused on helping children in the modified curriculum classroom for students with special needs and created monthly projects.
During Down syndrome awareness month, club members made a video and interviewed students with Down syndrome.
“We showed that they are just like us,” said Alizh Bailey, who interviewed a first grader for the project. “My favorite color is pink, and her favorite color is pink. I like [the Disney movie] Moana, same as her.”
The girls also made stickers, bracelets, and posters and helped during special reward activities. They researched Down syndrome and autism to learn more about their schoolmates.
“I didn’t know before how their brains were different,” said Mia Saputo.
“I learned Down syndrome is an extra chromosome that they were born with,” added Eva Valdes Zambrano.
What did the students learn about inclusion?
The Ability Club members also learned to think carefully about the language they use when talking about other children.
“We don’t use the word disability,” said Everlee Bogardus. “It might make them feel embarrassed, so we just say a child that has autism.”
Katie Violaris, who was the school counselor when the club began, facilitated the group.
“They came to me with the idea. We love student ideas, and I wanted to foster that,” Violaris said.
The club’s lessons about empathy also extended beyond its projects. Members said they tried to prevent bullying and show kindness to classmates in their own classrooms.
How can students become upstanders?
Club member Katie Valdes Zambrano explained the difference between standing by and stepping in when another student needs support.
“A bystander would just stand there if someone was getting hurt,” Katie said. “An upstander is where if you see someone being bullied, you defend that person. We want to be upstanders.”
For the girls, including others and standing up against bullying became an important part of what the Ability Club represented.
They also said they received as much from their acts of kindness as the students they hoped to help.
“It really just makes us excited because we know we are helping our school and others around us, and we are promoting others’ abilities,” Ansley said.
“It makes me feel proud,” Katie said. “I just want to help them. I don’t want them to feel sad or anything.”
Why does kindness matter to the Ability Club?
Each club member described the satisfaction she felt from helping other students feel included.
“It makes me happy helping them get included,” said Alexa Anetrella. “We teach people how to include them and not bully them just because they are unique.”
“I feel incredible,” Eva said. “I want to tell other people that just because they are different, it doesn’t mean you can’t play with them.”
“I am really happy that we try our best to help them,” Mia said.
“It is a really good deed, and I really liked that,” Everlee added.
The girls hoped their kindness would spread to other students at Sea Gate. They planned to continue educating their schoolmates about the children with special needs who share their school.
“We are happy that they are here,” Eva concluded. “They are unique. They bring our school together. They are people who cheer up our school. They are the puzzle piece to your heart. You need to be kind to everyone.”
More stories about kindness in Naples schools
Sea Gate students have found other ways to build friendships and help classmates feel included. Read about another Sea Gate Elementary student spreading kindness and a Sea Gate student creating connections with children with special needs.
You also can read about another Collier County student making a difference through kindness.