HELPING — The Steubenville STARS program is marking its first year of helping students with disabilities gain educational and life skills as well as opportunities for inclusive activities. Intermediate unit teacher Rhiannon Petrisko leads students Scarlett, at left, and Kaylee in a counting activity. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — It has been one year since the Steubenville STARS program began to help integrate students with disabilities into the school community, and leaders said the pupils have prospered.

The program, which stands for Supporting Transitions, Abilities, Resilience and Success, is based at Steubenville High School and has 40 students in grades PreK-12 who are not only learning educational skills but forming peer relationships and thriving in a school setting.

Principal Jaclyn Walters said STARS includes a preschool unit, elementary unit for grades K-1, intermediate unit with grades 2-4, middle school unit for grades 5-8 and high school unit for grades 9-12. Additionally, there is a sensory room to service students’ needs as well as teachers, therapists and paraprofessionals to provide support, and kids may take part in inclusive activities with students at Wells Academy and Big Red.

“The program is going well,” Walters said. “It’s growing and we’re seeing a lot of progress with many of the students in a smaller learning environment. Every class has a teacher and an aide and we also have a full-time nurse and board-certified behavior analyst, plus all services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech are provided.”

She added that some students have returned to their home schools while STARS has collaborated with Wells Academy for special events, most notably the upcoming trunk-or-treat. Recently, the program held its first farmers market with products donated by a local farm. Walters said it was another opportunity for students to interact with pupils at Wells, Big Red and the Pugliese STEM Academy, plus they learned a variety of skills. Meanwhile, they take part in weekly swim sessions for water therapy and each classroom is assigned a service learning member of Educators Rising, the high school organization for future teachers, to offer more assistance.

“When children have the ability to interact with their peers socially, academically and emotionally, you find growth in the whole student. It goes both ways: You see growth in the typical peers as well and they learn about differences and different abilities as well as about students’ strengths,” Walters commented. “STARS was established to enable students to grow in the least-restrictive environment. It has been a full year and there have been many moments of learning for everybody, but at the same time it has provided children with the opportunity to have all of their educational needs met.”

She noted that the interaction with Educators Rising members has been a two-fold benefit.

“The relationships created through that are remarkable. The students have role models to look up to and the high school students learn to love what they do. A special bond happens there,” she said.

Walters is looking for more ways to include the students and build their lifelong skills.

“I think (the program) has been a huge success across the board,” she concluded.

For information about Steubenville STARS, contact Walters at (740) 282-9741 or e-mail jwalters@rollred.org.