Last Monday, the Special Education Division at Samoana High School kicked off Developmental Disability Month with a torch run that started from Fagaalu Park heading towards Suigaula ole Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei at 6 a.m.

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month around the globe.

The week-long celebration at the Home of the Sharks included many activities for students with special needs. A “wave” in front of the school campus was also carried out.

Students took part in a relay and also a ‘day out’ during which teachers and administrators escorted the kids to Laufou Shopping Center for a day of browsing and shopping.

A teacher from the SPED office at SHS explained that the field trip goes hand in hand with the part of the curriculum that is being taught now, which is money handling.

“The purpose of last week’s events was to help spread awareness that students with disabilities are no different from others, they just have a different way of learning,” said one of the teachers.

Currently, a total of 44 students are receiving services from Special Education on the campus of Samoana High School.

Those charged with guiding these special students include two Resource Specialists and ten teachers.

Students were given different color shirts to wear throughout the week, a different color everyday. (Pictured is the shirt that was distributed on the first day.)