‘Challenge Day’ brings students together

Special-needs students from around Nassau County came last Wednesday to Calhoun High School for a field day centering on fun and engagement with mainstream students.

More than 270 special-needs students from 15 Nassau districts took part. A hundred twenty-five seniors from Calhoun and 30 from Mepham High School joined them, working on a buddy system to assist them in the various field day activities and forge new connections and friendships.

There was an opening ceremony, with students proudly carrying their respective schools’ banners around the Calhoun track. The games included relays, obstacles courses, and jumping and throwing competitions, among other events.

“It’s all about the kids having a fun time –– focusing on their strengths and participating in all of the different activities that are presented to them,” said Emily Paluseo, Calhoun’s special-education chairwoman. “It’s an important event so the kids can have a nice time, socially interact and integrate with one another.”