SONM Communications
About SONM Communications
Posts by Rebecca Rainsberger:
Explore Wellness
Overview: The Special Olympics Explore Wellness program introduces athletes and their families to local fitness, health, and wellness partners and resources in our community. We encourage athletes and their families to get and stay healthy by utilizing these resources and activities. Activities will include yoga, outdoor exercising, fitness classes, Zumba dance classes, cooking classes and more! Explore wellness activities are currently offered in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho areas of New Mexico.
To get your Passport to Wellness and learn more, please contact Ben Vigil at ben@sonm.org
Thank you to each of our Explore Wellness partners!
Current Activities:
New Mexico Community Centers:
Albuquerque
Stay active in the Albuquerque community with the many free or low cost activities and events at your local Albuquerque Community Centers, such as Zumba, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Pickleball and more! Get a free membership today!
If you need assistance signing up, view instructions or email ben@sonm.org for more information.
For more events and resources check out UNM CDD Finder website and their Events Calendar!
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Community Recreation Complexes
Genoveva Chavez Community Center
Farmington
Farmington Recreation Center | Farmington, NM – Official Website
Sycamore Park Community Center
Las Cruces
Recreation Centers – The City of Las Cruces
Rio Rancho
Community Centers & Recreation Centers | The Official Site of Rio Rancho, NM
Roswell
Roswell Recreation & Aquatic Center | Roswell, NM
Explore Wellness Survey:
To better understand the needs of our community, please complete a short survey about your personal experience with health and wellness: Explore Wellness Survey
Generation Unified
Visit the Generation Unified website for all national Unified Champion Schools® resources and information!
Oliver
Author: Birgitta Sif
Overview: Oliver is a story about a little boy who is different. He uses his imagination for companionship, with his toys as his companions, until one day he meets a new friend.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever felt different? How does that make you feel? How did Oliver feel about being different?
- What made Oliver decide he may have to change, to become different than how he has been? How did that make him feel?
Watch or listen to Oliver on YouTube: Oliver video
I’m NOT Just A Scribble
Author: Diane Alber
Overview: A story about kindness and inclusion. Scribble, the book’s main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, after being left out because he didn’t look like everyone else, Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are.
Watch or listen to I’m NOT Just A Scribble: I’m NOT Just A Scribble video
Pete the Cat and the New Guy
Authors: James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Overview: There’s a new guy in town, and Pete can’t wait to meet him. After all, more friends mean more fun. When Pete finally meets Gus, he realizes they’re very different from each other…and that’s what makes him cool. So when Gus starts to doubt himself, it’s up to Pete to convince him that there’s something everyone can do. Gus is special in his own way, just like Pete and just like you!
Watch or listen to Pete the Cat and the New Guy: Pete the Cat and the New Guy video
Discussion Questions:
- What were some things Pete tried to do with Gus? Why couldn’t Gus do the same things Pete did?
- How do you think Gus felt when he couldn’t climb or jump like Pete? How do you think Pete felt?
- How did Pete discover Gus’ talent? Why did that make him happy?
- When Pete says that there is something everyone can do, what does he mean?
A Bad Case of Stripes
Author: David Shannon
Overview: Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don’t like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she’s so worried that she’s about to break out in…a bad case of stripes!
Watch or listen to A Bad Case of Stripes: A Bad Case of Stripes video
The Paper Bag Princess
Author: Robert Munsch
Overview: This book is about a princess named Elizabeth who is supposed to marry a prince, but first has to save him from a dragon.
Watch or listen to The Paper Bag Princess: The Paper Bag Princess Video
Discussion Questions:
- What are some other stories about princes and princesses? How do we expect them to look? How do you expect them to act?
- How does Elizabeth look and act differently from other princesses? Why is this unusual?
- How did she defeat the dragon? Was she still a princess when she was outsmarting him?
- Elizabeth was a good friend to Prince Ronald. What makes a good friend?
Unified Young Readers Club
The Unified Young Readers Club includes books and study guides for teachers to use as they address topics like inclusion, awareness, friendship, bullying, and acceptance to audiences of both students with and without intellectual disabilities.
Each book has a theme that relates to multiple state academic standards, and aligns with the precepts of positive school climate initiatives like PBIS and Leader in Me. Guidance counselors can use these resources to help them as students work on ways to make and keep friends and identify feelings. Whether the books are used with self-contained classes or with inclusive groups, the resulting “Ah Ha!” moments will be just as satisfying.
Promoting Postive School Climate
The Unified Champion Schools® program promotes social inclusion and positive school climate through whole school engagement activities, and integrates personal and interpersonal leadership development into existing programs. The discussion questions and activities in the Young Readers Club provide safe, structured ways students can explore differences and similarities and work to become more understanding, inclusive, and caring friends.