Special students need help learning life skills

Maricopa Wells Middle School has some special classes for some special students. The children enrolled are in the exceptional student services program.

According to Athletic and Activities Director Shannon Hull, “These classes are places that the students are not only learning academic content, but they are learning life skills to help them be more successful, independent people.”

Rene Karlin and Mike Himlie teach the life skills classes.

In their quest toward independence these children, who have faced various obstacles in their young lives, need everyday items. Most are things that may be lying around, unused and unneeded, in Maricopa residents’ homes. Some are items that could be purchased for a very minimal cost.

The list of items needed for this program includes:

All kitchen items, but no sharp knives
Towels: hand, bath, small, large
Washcloths
Sheets and pillowcases
A couch, chairs, tables
A quiet vacuum (the current model is very loud and scares the children)
Laundry detergent, softener
Soap, either for hands or dishes
Dishes
Cups, preferably plastic
Balloons
Athletic balls
Lamps
Shelves
Storage boxes of any size
Kleenex
Paper towels
Mirrors
Gloves
Bells
Whistles
Healthy snacks
Refrigerator
Pillows
Stuffed animals
Toys
VHS movies (a DVD player is on the wish list)
Headphones
Kid music
Low-level games
Stereo
Screens for room dividers
Playing cards
Play money
Poker chips
Art supplies
Construction paper

“Basically we are looking for things to help the students learn life skills as well as work on their sensory and motor skills,” explained Hull.

Take any items to the Maricopa Wells Middle School office in Building A (school is on Honeycutt Ave. down and across the street from the high school); mention the items are for the life skills program.

“Any donated items would be greatly appreciated,” added Hull.