Some new, or familiar, faces might be seen on the sidelines at upcoming football games. FALS students Emily Salmon, 10, Carmelina Humble, 11, and Nadya Zamundio-Jacome, 12, joined the cheer team to attend football games this fall.
“This is what my girls dream of,” FALS teacher Jayme Schroeder said. “They come to school every day wanting to come to cheer class. They have always wanted to be cheerleaders.”
Although they don’t cheer at every game, the cheerleaders on the team take pleasure in welcoming Salmon, Humble, and Zamundio-Jacome on the field.
“My favorite part about them [being on] the team is just seeing how excited they get,” junior Spirit Captain Ashlyn Hurta said. “Things we take for granted, they enjoy doing so much and have a blast.”
One way the cheer team includes Salmon, Humble, and Zamundio-Jacome by featuring them on the team’s Instagram page. Each girl has an introductory post located in the story highlights. Each girl also has their own locker.
“I love it,” Ms. Schroeder said. “It makes them feel special, and I think it kind of humbles everyone around them.”
Schroeder and the other FALS teachers and paraprofessionals emphasize kindness to their students. Even though they have their own classroom, students can engage with the FALS students when they are in the hallway.
“Learn how to be kind,” Ms. Schroeder said. “That’s one of our big things these days is people being kind to my kids. So I think getting them out and open for everybody helps everyone.”
Students can get involved with the FALS program by joining the Partners in PE or Art classes. These are classes during third and seventh blocks that can be taken for the semester or the whole year. Here, students get to help and participate in PE and art classes with the FALS students. Assistant Principal Leonard Cousins also hosts a FALS Field Day in May, where groups like Key Club and the Partners program can spend the day with FALS students and do field day activities with them.
“Say hi, wave, fist bump and just include them as much as you guys include everyone else,” Ms. Schroeder said. “It makes their day.”
