1. Play Pals Caryl Panzarella July 9, 2012 PITCHBOOK

2. Agenda  Why Play Pal?  Sponsors  Buy In  Movie  Getting Started  Choosing Play Pals  Documents  Challenges  Questions

3. Why Play Pals?  Integrate special needs students into the typical day  Focuses on what children are able to do  Improve Social Skills, etc.  General Ed. Students benefit  Eliminates Bullying  Creates Good Role Models  Acceptance, Patience, and Kindness

4. Sponsors  Autism Coach  ESE Specialist  Reading Coach  Gen. Ed. Teacher  ESE Teacher  Support Personnel  Administrator  Team or Combination of above  Anybody can do this and the rewards are exponential!

5. Buy In  How do you get it?  What’s in it for administration?  What’s in it for teachers?  What’s in it for parents?  What’s in it for you?  Motivation and incidental learning increases

6. Movie

7. Getting Started  Develop a course and name it  Recruit teachers that want to be involved  Recruit peer buddies  Screen and match students  Teach peers instructional strategies  Evaluate program, make changes as needed

8. Choosing Play Pals  Students that are able to make up work  Students who need a boost in self-esteem  Students with bullying issues  Students who have special challenges  Responsible leaders (Safety patrols, student council)  Students who need to learn how to interact more appropriately

9. Documents Letters  Parent permission  Student Training  Background info. for parents  Thank you letters Organizational  Recommendations  Who needs play pals?  Schedules  Budget

10. Sample Schedule Play Pal Name TeacherDayTimeStudentGen Ed Teacher AbbyAranWed.1:00BenRyan BillyHoveyWed.12:30Aran PEMattis CaryMitchellMon.10:00TommyHerbie DavidPresslerThur.9:15ZackRocker ErnieAranTue & Th11:20LunchSmith FrankyThomasFriday1:15CarylJones

11. Challenges  More buddies than play pals available  Teachers suspending play pals because of FCAT  Student absences or relocations  Student who fall behind in their studies  Know your audience  Resistance from faculty

12. Questions/Comments

13. Thank you! Caryl Panzarella, Autism Coach Coral Park Elementary caryl.panzarella@browardschools.com 754-322-5850