Circle of Friends Creates Special Bonds

Circles never end.

And neither, supporters hope, will the friendships formed through Circle of Friends, a program at Grafton Middle School that brings together typical peer models with students with special needs to learn more about each other in a relaxed setting.

"The ultimate goal is for kids with limited social skills to make friends and feel accepted,'' said Frank Sutton, school psychologist and advisor to the group.

Students with special needs can sometimes feel isolated from their peers, he said. 

The Circle of Friends is one of a number of programs in the Peer to Peer Action Group. This group gives students a voice in helping to determine social responsibility programming and to help value and embrace each person's uniqueness. 

Youngsters in the group also build leadership skills around such issues as bullying and peer pressure.

Bringing the youngsters together to play games, go bowling or shop for holiday gifts for the needy can "make the kids feel more included,'' he said.

By forging friendships, students with special needs are more likely to have friends to sit with at lunch or on the bus, he said.

The Circle of Friends integrates itself into the entire school day. Typical peer models visit classes to help special needs students with their studies and to serve as tutors and mentors.

They also interact at lunch, during school assemblies and at sporting events and other community activities.

On a recent lively Tuesday, youngsters in the Circle of Friends played Apples to Apples, Scrabble Slam! and Hyper Dash while chatting in the school's media center.

Austin Kelsey, 12, said he likes the group because "you can play fun games.''

Dana Rivard, 11, said she likes the chance to "help out other kids in the school.''

That fits in well with the group's ultimate goal: To foster long-lasting friendships.