The happy children pose for a photo during their exciting Valentine's Day outing at UP's Cineplex today February 14, 2012. Photo: VINO

The children enjoyed an inspirational morning session of devotion with members of the Elmore Stout High School Honour Society who offered them presents of trinkets and cards during a well organized programme for the event. All teachers of the school were also honoured with a rose while the students all made cards to take home to their parents.

The children then made their way over to UP’s Cinplex which according to Principal Vansittart Huggins, is ideal for them especially those that require wheel chair access.

“Our philosophy is to have each child integrated into society so they should know what is in their society and appreciate what is there and make use of it. On many occasions people will bring in food but this is an opportunity to have them come out in a public setting and socialize, we are teaching them how to conduct themselves, using table etiquette and other skills in public.”

The proud principal said she is very proud of her students behavior and encourage the public to come out and visit the school to learn more about what they do and help to erase the negative stigma associated with special needs.

“… we are trying to erase that negative stigma from Special Needs and we want to meet them and they meet us as well.”

Meanwhile, the public will have another opportunity to interact with the students in a public setting on March 13, 2012 at the School’s “A Book in Park” event for the Noel Lloyd Park Positive Action Movement Park.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon.