This week, Frenship High School Special Education students proudly showed off their school spirit by wearing sensory-friendly Homecoming mums and garters. The homecoming mums and garters were donated by students in the Teaching Techsans group from Texas Tech’s College of Education.
This project not only helps students participate in beloved school traditions but also promotes inclusivity within the school community.
Kayci Smith, Special Education Teacher and Department Head at Frenship, emphasized the importance of community support.
“I love that community members reach out and SEE our kiddos. It just makes us feel so loved and supported,” said Smith.
Sensory-friendly mums and garters provide students with the opportunity to show off their spirit while giving them the comfort and inclusivity they need to fully enjoy the homecoming tradition.
“Sensory-free mums and garters are incredibly important for students with special needs because they provide a way for these students to participate in cherished school traditions without feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable,” said Smith. “Traditional mums can be heavy, loud with bells, and decorated with various textures that may cause discomfort.”
The sensory-free versions aim to eliminate these triggers, allowing students to engage in the festivities with confidence. With 47 students receiving these specially crafted mums, the collaboration is a significant step towards inclusion.
“Homecoming mums are a significant part of school culture,” said Smith. “Sensory-free options allow students with special needs to feel included and part of the tradition, promoting a sense of belonging among their peers.”
Gabby Dagrosa, President of Teaching Techsans, shared the inspiration behind this initiative.
“After attending an informational meeting about sensory-friendly options, we pursued the idea and chose to support Frenship specifically,” said Dagrosa.
The students created mums without traditional elements that could cause discomfort, such as heavy materials, loud bells, or excessive textures.
We recognize that special education students often don't get the opportunity to participate in homecoming festivities, so we wanted to share the Texas homecoming joy with these students, as they are just as deserving as their general education peers,” said Dagrosa. “Being able to provide these mums free of cost for the students is the cherry on top of the cake.”
Through this project, Texas Tech education students learned valuable lessons about accommodations and modifications while engaging with the community.
“One student had a unique experience, as he is deaf-blind and had never heard of mums before. It taught us how to model differently for someone who has never seen a finished project,” said Dagrosa. “I worked with him to make three mums, which taught me how to demonstrate and model differently for someone who has never seen a finished project, but only felt it.”
Smith is beyond grateful for this donation and the impact it has had on students.
“I am so thankful for Texas Tech and the Teaching Techsans for reaching out and making this happen,” said Smith.
The Teaching Techsans look forward to future collaborations with Frenship ISD.
“We would love to work with Frenship ISD going forward if there are volunteer opportunities that may require extra hands,” said Dagrosa.
Awesome work, students! We love our community support!