KNOTS stands for Kids Need Opportunities To Socialize.  This is a peer mentor program where students with disabilties are paired with general education peers after they receive training.  This is done through reverse mainstreaming and inclusion.  The students interact in the general education classrooms, special education classrooms, lunch/recess, specials, and after school events. 

This is our fifth year using the peer mentoring program in STCS.  We discussed special needs and how it impacts their classmate.  In the past we picked mentors from applications of students who volunteered.  We have found that limiting the interactions to just chosen mentors makes other classmates feel left out.  As we strive to foster natural friendships for our students with special needs, we are moving away from the sign up portion of KNOTS.  ALL students in the classroom will have a variety of ways they can interact with their friends who have special needs such as: help during the general education class, eating lunch or playing during recess with their classmate, or going on fieldtrips during lunch (will be notified and given a permission slip).  Each month a staff member will provide a whole class presentation about special needs and answer any questions from the students about their friend(s) with special needs. 

Please contact Amy Idzior at 797-1835 ext 2219 or ajidzior@stcs.org with any questions about KNOTS.