Kings, Rivers Crossing partner to support students with disabilities

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Kings High School is combining curriculum with community service to equip students with multiple disabilities for life and work.

“We try to expose the students to a large variety of job options that they can sample and find out what they are good at and what they like. Here at the high school we set up mock tasks, but it is great when we can go out in the community and have authentic job experiences,” explained Angela Zlatic, KHS intervention specialist.

For this reason, Zlatic has teamed up with Rivers Crossing Community Church in Mason. The students are working under the direction of Jackie Mason and Betsy Mitchell, who are staff members at the church.

“Ms. Zlatic emailed the church in early September and asked if we would be interested in having her group come over to volunteer. After hearing her plan for the students, we knew we wanted to be a part of this adventure,” said Mitchell.

During their first trip to the church, students assembled drink tumblers as appreciation gifts for the church’s volunteers. Each student had a specific task — from taking the products out of the boxes and assembling to putting them back into boxes for distribution.

“This is a great way for them to get out and practice the skills they are learning in class. Before they came over, they had practiced introducing themselves and shaking hands. So, that’s what we did with each one as they arrived. It’s also a great time for them to work together as a group. When they did the appreciation gifts, they had to form an assembly line and do some problem solving,” Mitchell explained. “They won’t be the only ones to benefit from this time together. They not only will help us get a few things done around church, but they also are an inspiration. They came in with smiles and were eager to serve — what a blessing for us.”

Students will visit the church monthly. Other tasks will include organizing, cleaning, seasonal work and preparing materials for the Rivers Kids ministry.

“Each year I try to give my students new experiences in the vocational field,” Zlatic said. “Last year, we volunteered at Hope Church in Mason.”

They did janitorial tasks such as picking up trash, dusting and washing windows, as well as preparing the worship space by setting out hymnals, envelopes and pencils.

Zlatic’s students also will visit other vocational, recreational and academic sites this year to bring their classroom lessons to life. For example, they will tour the Kenwood Texas Roadhouse, Warren County Educational Service Center Transition Living Classroom, Iron’s Fruit Farm, Residential Community Care, Project Search, Fresh Thyme Market and Joe Nuxhall Miracle Field. They also will attend the Daylight Prom and Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities job class.

“We are also starting a partnership with Catholic Campus Ministry to do an in-school job, helping them with a birthday mailing and other clerical tasks,” Zlatic said. “We are always open to and looking for opportunities that will teach the students new skills and help in the community.”

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