Featured Photos: 1. The North Windy Ridge Intermediate 'No Barriers Team' holds an award banner featuring the $5,000 grant. 2. Seventh-graders returned to their former classrooms to help peers understand ADHD.
By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications Dept.
In March of 2020, nine sixth-graders at North Windy Ridge Intermediate won a national competition and received a $5,000 grant to improve learning experiences for peers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More than a year after the historic pandemic began, the team’s plans are finally spinning into action.
The 2019-20
Global Impact Challenge required students to generate ideas around making the world a more inclusive place, free of stereotypes and discrimination. Schools from across the country competed to solve complex social issues, with the winning teams receiving funding for their plans. North Windy Ridge’s ‘No Barriers Team’ took first place.
“The students are learning what ADHD looks like and how we can be more understanding of students with ADHD,” explained teacher Mr. Jeremy Aten, who sponsored the team alongside teacher Ms. Katrina Oliver. “A year later, we are finally in the process of purchasing the items needed to implement our plan. We’ll have everything in place for next school year and are now educating the new students on our project.”
Now in middle school, the original nine returned to their former classrooms to share strategies for making the school more ADHD accessible. During presentations in each classroom, they dispelled myths about ADHD and explained their three award-winning evidence-based goals for North Windy Ridge. Their goals include the introduction of equine therapy, weighted lap blankets, and “sensory pathways” to school common areas. The new pathway stations will be located around the school and marked with colorful stickers to encourage movement and stimulation of the five senses.
“The project makes it easier for kids with ADHD to function at school, thus making them able to participate better,” said seventh-grader Ada Aten.
“It feels amazing to be able to give back to my school, because it lets me know that I'm making someone's life easier,” added teammate Gracie Bryson.
North Windy Ridge’s No Barriers team formed after Mr. Aten attended a No Barriers Summit in California in June, 2019. There he learned techniques to help students dream big and break down barriers to diversity and inclusion.
The winning No Barriers Team included students Caleb Banks, Phin Hedlund, Caelyn Bowen, Tripp Switzer, Gracie Bryson, Ada Aten, Moth Halsey, Harrison Cohan, and Grace Holton.
Learn more about North Windy Ridge's first place Global Impact Challenge win: