This year at RHS, Reba Stanley, a special education teacher, launched the Peer2Peer program to build connections between general education and special education students. Every week, students meet in the flex lab for collaborative activities, and once a month, they go on field trips together. The program’s goal is to foster inclusivity and promote meaningful relationships between students who might otherwise not interact. For many special education students, these connections are rare, and the program aims to reduce isolation and encourage a sense of belonging to everyone, regardless of ability. 

Peer2Peer has already had a positive impact, giving both Gen Ed d special education students the chance to learn from one another, build empathy, and develop new friendships. As Ms. Stanley says, “Everybody needs somebody,” and through this program, students are learning that understanding and inclusion go a long way in creating a supportive school community. The success of Peer2Peer at RHS is a powerful example of how simple, intentional acts of connection can change the school culture and create lasting bonds among students.