Letter to the Editor: Feel Good Basketball

My son Dylan is in Special Education and has been receiving services since he was 4 months old. It has been a long road for him, but every year, we see improvement.

Starting at Samoset last year, Dylan has blossomed! In now a 15:1 placement, he made Honor Roll all last year!  His favorite subject is Phys ed and his favorite teacher is Brian Schnall. Dylan tries his best and Brian sees this.  Dylan loves the game of Basketball and although he has trouble following the rules of the game, he can shoot a basket extremely well!  At the start of Basketball season, Brian asked Dylan to be the Manager of the team. 

The boys have been more than welcoming!  I have seen such kindness, patience, and understanding from these 20 seventh and eighth graders. Dylan is one of them! They take him "under their wing" and include him on everything.

This week at North, Samoset played against Seneca.  With two minutes remaining, the team put Dylan in the game. Unbeknownst to me, it was understood to allow Dylan this opportunity.  Straight out of a Hollywood movie, Dylan had the ball, ran down the court and scored. The crowd went wild! The game ended with the boys running from the sidelines congratulating Dylan on an awesome shot.  You had to be there to believe it!

I have never been prouder to be a resident of the Sachem School District!  This truly shows that "We Are Sachem!"  With the topic of bullying so prevalent, this Coach and these boys are every parent's dream for their child... especially when the child has handicaps. My family can never thank them enough!

Regards,
Terry Allgor