Around the World Before Lunch

Bobby Orr Public School’s Developmental Program classes celebrate a day of fun with their 7^th Annual Play Day

On May 16, Bobby Orr PS invited Developmental Program classrooms from across the region to take part in their 7^th Annual Play Day. Six classes from five Durham District School Board (DDSB) pubic schools attended and 36 students participated.

This year’s theme was the Amazing Race, which saw five teams visit five “countries” and perform tasks related to each destination’s culture. Each student was eager to get a stamp on their passports. Afterwards, they enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch. In “Mexico,” students had the opportunity to break a piñata. In “Canada,” they made hand-print maple leaf Canadian flags. In “Holland,” students could press a switch to make a series of pinwheels turn. 

“It’s a great way for students to interact with their environment,” explains Bobby Orr PS teacher Jennifer Smith. “At each station, they are in control of making something happen. And it’s an opportunity to meet new friends and see old ones. It really is a day of fun.”

Celebrating inclusion

The Developmental Program is an intensive support program for students who have significant intellectual or developmental disabilities. Each self-contained classroom consists of a maximum of six students with two Educational Assistants and one Teacher. Within each classroom, the students range from Grades 1-8. The play day allows these students to have some fun by providing the opportunity to take part in every activity.

Bobby Orr PS’s Grade 8 Leadership Team and students from Grades 4 – 8 in the Recess Buddies program were also on hand to help ensure the event ran smoothly.

Stevie, a Recess Buddy in Grade 6 at Bobby Orr PS spends her recesses helping in the Developmental Program classes and has been involved in the annual play day for the past three years. “I love helping out,” says Stevie. “It just warms my heart. The kids love being with everybody and they love when we come down to help. They just enjoy us being here.”